AFC Bournemouth
Eddie Howe attended Bournemouth Town Hall on Tuesday evening as he was awarded the honour of Freedom of the Borough.
The AFC Bournemouth manager was at the Special Council meeting with the successful proposal the last decision that Bournemouth Borough Council took.
Council leader Cllr John Beesley proposed the award for Howe, seconded by AFC Bournemouth fan Cllr David Smith, and gave a heartfelt proposal detailing why he felt the Cherries manager had earned the honour.
Other members of the Council then spoke, talking of the role Howe has had in promoting the town, and including memories from their time supporting the club, before Howe himself took to the podium to give thanks for being bestowed with the prestigious honour.
Upon receiving the honour, Howe said: "It's incredible really, it's been a very emotional night with some really nice words said.
"I'm very grateful for the award but it's on behalf of the football club really as a whole, and that includes the supporters.
"This award is not about me, it's not about what I've done , it's about what the club's done and the team's done. To do that you need incredible unity behind the scenes and I think we've always had that.
"Everyone's always united in times of success and in times of struggle and I think that's been our key.
"We've heard stories tonight about how much it's meant to individuals and families and that's hugely empowering for me to hear that. It shows the power of what football can do, the identity people have when they assign themselves to a team is a really beautiful thing."
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that the Council can bestow awarded to local people who have, in the opinion of the Council, undertaken exceptional and widely-recognised services to the Borough, with Howe becoming just the 29th person to receive the honour.
Along with being awarded the honour, in due course Howe will receive an illuminated scroll to recognise the achievement.
Photo: PWD Studios
