Don Revie's legendary Leeds United side given Freedom of the City of Leeds

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake made the announcement at a civic reception on Thursday to mark the White's centenary.

The Freedom of the City Award has only been granted to a select number of people, and recognises the enormous contribution people made in their respective fields.

Revie's men are the first group to ever receive the award.

South African president Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Leeds playwright Alan Bennett and cyclist Beryl Burton are among those who have received the accolade.

Under Revie, Leeds became one of the most admired and feared teams at home and abroad.

The club won two league championships, the Inter Cities Fairs Cup and the FA Cup, under his managerial reign between 1967 - 1974.

The Whites were welcomed to the city’s civic hall on Thursday by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Eileen Taylor.

Those in attendance included the club’s honorary president, the Earl of Harewood, and legends Eddie Gray, Trevor Cherry, Terry Cooper, Joe Jordan and Gordon McQueen.

Speeches were also made by club chief executive, Angus Kinnear, and the owner of Leeds United, Andrea Radrizzani, as well as the Lord Mayor and Coun Blake.

A council meeting will be held in December to formally approve the award before a special presentation is made to players and representatives of the Revie team who will be invited to attend.

It is proposed that the award will be given ‘in recognition and high appreciation of the honour and distinction brought to the City by their outstanding sporting achievements, and for their

lasting legacy to Leeds United Football Club’.

In honour of the club’s centenary, Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Town Hall will also be lit up at night in yellow, white and blue this week.

Angus Kinnear, Leeds United chief executive, said: “Firstly it is an honour for Leeds City Council to hold a civic reception to mark 100 years of Leeds United.

"Our relationship with the council is incredibly strong and I'd like to thank Councillor Blake, James Rogers and all those who represent the council in Holbeck and Beeston and beyond for their continued support.

“To award to the famous Revie side The Freedom of the City accolade is another outstanding gesture.

"Don Revie and the team he built gave our supporters the most successful period in our 100 year history and laid the foundations for the future. They are truly deserving of the award.”

Cllr Blake said announcing the honour was an 'absolute privilege'.

“Their achievements on the pitch are there in the record books for all to see, but more than that it is a lasting legacy they left to our city that undoubtedly deserves to be recognised and celebrated," she added.

"They played a huge part in instilling a real sense of pride in the club for everyone associated with the city that is still going strong today, and helped create a fan base that remains amongst the most passionate and fanatical in football."

She said you could travel anywhere in the world and people would almost always mention Leeds United when you say where you are from.

Coun Blake added: "This would simply not happen without what Don, members of his staff and the players did to put Leeds United and as association our city firmly on the worldwide sporting map, and we remain extremely proud and grateful for that."

Cllr Andrew Carter, leader of Leeds Conservative group, said Revie's men 'should always feature in any list compiled of the greatest ever British club sides', while Cllr Stewart Golton, leader of Leeds Liberal Democrats Group, said he hoped that by 'honouring these players will encourage the current team to strive for a similar legacy'.

Cllr Taylor said: “Leeds United remains a truly iconic and extremely important part of our city’s fabric, and is a club which is recognised and celebrated by people across the world.

"We were therefore extremely delighted and very proud to be able to welcome representatives and players of the club to Leeds Civic Hall for a special reception as part of their 100-year anniversary celebrations.

“The club has provided a truly unforgettable catalogue of memories over the past 100 years and we look forward to many more being created in the future, hopefully starting with promotion this season and a return to their rightful place in the Premier League.”