davieG Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Not quite sure what Engelbert's done for the City of Leicester having lived in the USA for the last 40 odd years. Leicester City Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall will receive the Honorary Freedom of Leicester at a ceremony due to be held in the spring. Alan will receive the honour by virtue of his outstanding contribution to the sport of football and his contribution to charitable works, both within the city of Leicester and beyond. Author Sue Townsend and Engelbert Humperdinck will also receive the Honorary Freedom of the City at the ceremony. The announcement was made following a special meeting of the city council on Wednesday evening. Councillors backed a motion to honour the trio, recognising the distinction they have brought to the city of Leicester. Alan said: "I'm stunned. I was just an ordinary footballer that came to this city in 1971 to play for the Foxes and to have had this honour bestowed on me is unbelievable. "I know I wasn't born here, but I have always said that I have been adopted by the city. To be linked alongside the other previous reciprocates of this honour is a bit embarrassing if I am honest. But I know that my mum, dad and sister would have been very proud - as I am. "Thank you to all Leicestershire people, and especially all Foxes fans who I consider share this honour with me." LCFC Chairman, Milan Mandaric, said: "This is a magnificent honour for Alan in recognition for all of the tremendous work he has done for the Football Club and various charities over the years. " City Manager, Nigel Pearson, added: "I am personally delighted for Alan. He does a heck of a lot of good work - both at Leicester City and the in the general community. "This honour is recognition for a lot of hard work over a period of nearly 40 years and we are extremely fortunate to have him as one of our own." Chief executive, Lee Hoos, said: "Alan does a heck of a lot of hard work behind the scenes and he should be extremely proud to have received such a prestigious honour." Leader of the council, Cllr Ross Willmott, added: "Each of these three individuals has made their mark, albeit in very different ways. "But what they have in common is that all three have made people in Leicester very proud, thanks to their association with our city. "Whether it's through their profession, or the work they've done for charity, each of them has become an ambassador for Leicester and fully deserves to be recognised in this way by the city they call home." Alan joined Leicester City Football Club from Crystal Palace for £100,000 in 1971. As an attacking midfielder, he scored 12 goals for the club in his 163 appearances. He left Leicester City in 1977 to join Notts County, before spending time in the USA with the San Jose Earthquakes and the Memphis Rogues. 'The Birch' returned to Leicester City some 30 years ago and has been a club ambassador ever since. In 2002 he was awarded an MBE for his charity work. The Honorary Freedom of the City is the highest honour that a local authority can bestow. Previous recipients of the Freedom of Leicester include Rosemary Conley, Gary Lineker and Richard and David Attenborough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty fox Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 what about filbert the "lord mayor" fox ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 englebert wtf has he done for the city Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Well done the Birch. He drones on a bit but he does care about the club and the city and his charity work is fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr The Singh Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Well done, I also think Bernie should be given the freedom also!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Well done, I also think Bernie should be given the freedom also!! He's got it already- when I see him no-one else is near him Is Thrac going to get one after his interview? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr The Singh Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 He's got it already- when I see him no-one else is near him Is Thrac going to get one after his interview? I hope so, otherwise he'll turn out like Bernie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultra Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 englebert wtf has he done for the city From the Council press release.. Recently, he auctioned his Harley-Davidson motorcycle to raise money for Leicestershire’s Air Ambulance service. He is to receive the Honorary Freedom of the City of Leicester by virtue of his outstanding contribution worldwide to popular music and his generosity to charitable works within the city of Leicester and beyond. He's certainly waited long enough. Ten years ago, when he was being given a tour of the Town Hall, he looked at the list of honorary freemen at the main entrance and asked the then lord mayor, "When is my name going on here?" But in all fairness it is not an honour that we can really begrudge him, or indeed Sue Townsend or the Birch. All members of the Council, from five different groups, were united last night in their admiration for these individuals. And the myth put around by some on here and elsewhere that the Council is somehow "anti-white" and "neglects its own" can now be laid to rest once and for all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 26 February 2009 Author Share Posted 26 February 2009 From the Council press release..He's certainly waited long enough. Ten years ago, when he was being given a tour of the Town Hall, he looked at the list of honorary freemen at the main entrance and asked the then lord mayor, "When is my name going on here?" But in all fairness it is not an honour that we can really begrudge him, or indeed Sue Townsend or the Birch. All members of the Council, from five different groups, were united last night in their admiration for these individuals. And the myth put around by some on here and elsewhere that the Council is somehow "anti-white" and "neglects its own" can now be laid to rest once and for all. Sounds like that's why you did it then I hardly think that someone of his means auctioning a motorbike warrants this, that's like some one from a poor background putting a £1 in a charity box but without the publicity. As for his 'outstanding contribution to worldwide to popular music' some what subjective and very little to do with Leicester City especially when the proceeds of this have allowed him to live a life of luxury away from Leicester. You've not convinced me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairy Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Are there others on the list apart from these three? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Prussian Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 englebert wtf has he done for the city He has yet to compose the club anthem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultra Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 As for his 'outstanding contribution to worldwide to popular music' somewhat subjective and very little to do with Leicester City especially when the proceeds of this have allowed him to live a life of luxury away from Leicester.You've not convinced me! Substitute "football" for popular music and the same can easily be said for Gary Lineker. The Council deserves credit for this, not mean-spirited, neagative and pedantic attacks from outside the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 26 February 2009 Author Share Posted 26 February 2009 Substitute "football" for popular music and the same can easily be said for Gary Lineker. The Council deserves credit for this, not mean-spirited, neagative and pedantic attacks from outside the city. I'm just questioning the justification but if you want to call it negative to question the motives of elected representatives and can't take a few questions then that's your problem. And talking of mean spirited pedantic attacks I have relatives that live in the city that feel the same. If you think it's mean spirited to want someone like 'a Mrs Brown type' who's swept the floors at LOROS unpaid for the last 30 years without any recognition over some second rate celebrity who also even lives outside the City when he deems to come over here then I'll gladly accept that as an accolade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 This basically means that Birch will be wandering the streets of Leicestershire like Bernie for evermore. I'd hate to be given Freedom to Leicester - I'd politely decline! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thracian Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 From the Council press release..He's certainly waited long enough. Ten years ago, when he was being given a tour of the Town Hall, he looked at the list of honorary freemen at the main entrance and asked the then lord mayor, "When is my name going on here?" But in all fairness it is not an honour that we can really begrudge him, or indeed Sue Townsend or the Birch. All members of the Council, from five different groups, were united last night in their admiration for these individuals. And the myth put around by some on here and elsewhere that the Council is somehow "anti-white" and "neglects its own" can now be laid to rest once and for all. Because I have asked you to provide a list of people allocated council housing to reassure myself that native white people are not being pushed down the list by the demands of immigrants, doesn't mean I have specifically accused Leicester City Council of racism nor even imply it. Just either give me the list or simply supply the ethnicity of those on the list and, if what you say is true, there won't even be a question, will there? What I have done is accuse the government of being anti-white and if you refuse to believe that, when the evidence is plain and unambiguous, it is because you cannot see the truth for your own dogmatic idealism. Starting with the appointment of police force and other jobs over the last 10 years and following on with the employment trends and statistics over the last two years and the constant preference, even highlighted in today's newspapers, of foreign workers over native workers I find your stance indefensible. Worse still, your constant refusal to acknowledge the unfairness over which your beloved Labour Partty presides, only highlights the futility of my hopes and the hopes of others that we ever achieve a genuinely non-racist and non-discriminatory society and emphasises exactly why there is so much seething resentment within the native white population about their constantly being shat on and reduced to the level of second class citizens in their own land. As for your comment about the honours mentioned being approved by five different groups I cannot see what that has to do with real issues of racism anyway. Frankly, despite our political differences, I'd have sooner seen you given Freedom of the City than Engelbert. Or any number of people who actually try to help this town and its people each and every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 26 February 2009 Author Share Posted 26 February 2009 Substitute "football" for popular music and the same can easily be said for Gary Lineker. I have no more conviction that Lineker is a worthy recipient either. Not sure how up to date this list is but it's from the Council website, how many of these recipients are low key citizens who do sterling but unpaid/lowly paid work to support their fellow citizens and how many are high profile well rewarded people who can easily afford their 'contribution' to society. There also seems to be a definite drift towards 'celebrity people'. Perhaps the council is thinking of the perceived reflected glory and publicity they can get from such awards rather than actual rewarding truly altruistic members of Leicester City. LIST OF PERSONS UPON WHOM THE HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE CITY HAS BEEN CONFERRED THOMAS WRIGHT J.P., ALDERMAN 25th October 1892 EDWARD WOOD J.P., ALDERMAN 25th October 1892 THOMAS WINDLEY J.P., ALDERMAN 31st March 1903 JOHN EDWARD SARSON V.D., COLONEL 31st March 1903 ALEXANDER BAINES J.P. 29th November 1911 THOMAS SMITH J.P., ALDERMAN 3rd July 1918 JONATHAN NORTH J.P., ALDERMAN 28th January 1919 DAVID BEATTY G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.B, ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET 28th January 1919 THOMAS FIELDING JOHNSON J.P. 8th July 1919 DOUGLAS HAIG (EARL HAIG OF BEMERSYDE) Kt., G..C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., FIELD MARSHAL 28 February 1922 THOMAS FIELDING JOHNSON M.A., J.P. 28th April 1925 CHARLES JOHN BOND C.M.G., F.R.C.S. 28th April 1925 ROBERT GEE V.C., M.C., M.P., CAOTAIN 28th April 1925 JAMES WENT M.A., CANON 28TH April 1925 EDWARD ATKINS B.S.c, CANON 28th April 1925 JOHN EDWARD FAIRE J.P. 28th September 1926 ARTHUR ISAAC GROVES J.P. 28th September 1926 JAMES RAMSAY MACDONALD P.C., LL.D., M.P., J.P., PRIME MINISTER 29th October 1929 COSMO GORDON LANG P.C., D.D., ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY 28th May 1935 JOHN PARSONS, ALDERMAN 24th September 1940 HARRY PERCY GEE O.B.E., J.P. 26th July 1949 WALTER ERNEST WILFORD J.P., ALDERMAN 26th July 1949 THOMAS ROWLAND HILL C.B.E., ALDERMAN 3rd January 1956 ROBERT EDMUND MARTIN Kt., C.M.G., T.D., D.L., J.P., A.M.I.C.E., M.A., Hon. LL.D., LT-COL (T.A.) 3rd January 1961 CHARLES ROBERT KEENE Kt., C.B.E., J.P., ALDERMAN 31st July 1962 BARON JANNER, OF THE CITY OF LEICESTER Kt., B.A., Hon. LL.D. 26th October 1971 FREDERICK ERNEST OLIVER Kt., C.B.E., T.D., D.L., ALDERMAN 26th October 1971 SIDNEY WILLIAM BRIDGES, ALDERMAN 26th OCTOBER 1971 MAC GOLDSMITH Hon. LL.D 26 October 1971 DAVID FREDERICK ATTENBOROUGH Kt, C.B.E., F.R.S., Hon. D. Litt., Hon D. Sc., Hon. LL.D., Hon. Sc.D. 30th November 1989 RICHARD SAMUEL ATTENBOROUGH Kt., C.B.E. Hon D. Litt., Hon D.C.L., Hon LL.D. 30th November 1989 ALEC JOHN JEFFREYS, Kt, B.A., M.A., D. Phil., D. Univ. (Open), F.F.Sc. (India), Hon. F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Path., F.L.S., F.R.S., PROFESSOR 26th November 1992 GARY WINSTON LINEKER, O.B.E. 26th November 1992 The ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENT 25th January 1996 ROSEMARY CONLEY D.L12th July 2005 FRANK EPHRAIM MAY, M.B.E. ,HON.LL.D, M.C.I.M.12th July 2000 LEICESTER FOOTBALL CLUB (The Tigers)12th July 2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeShingler Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Well Done Birchy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil_LCFC Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 When you are given the freedom of the City doesn't it mean you can covert an Ox in public or some other strange medieval rights ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosse Boy Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 When you are given the freedom of the City doesn't it mean you can covert an Ox in public or some other strange medieval rights ? Doesn't it mean you can graze your sheep somewhere? Viccy Park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babylon Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Mark Morrison will be absolutely livid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosse Boy Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_city#In_practice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Mark Morrison will be absolutely livid. He will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 26 February 2009 Author Share Posted 26 February 2009 When you are given the freedom of the City doesn't it mean you can covert an Ox in public or some other strange medieval rights ? Doesn't it mean you can graze your sheep somewhere? Viccy Park? I think it's more to do with no longer having to brown nose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thracian Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_city#In_practice Bit of an anti-climax that. I thought you'd get luxury hotel accomodation and the choice of six virgins or something. Or, at the very least, a City season ticket for life. Can't see what the fuss is about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raj Posted 26 February 2009 Share Posted 26 February 2009 Theres alot of bloody ALDERMANS in there...Must all be inbred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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