Eddie Howe has formally received the ‘Freedom of Newcastle’ this week.
The presentation coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the March 2025 Wembley victory.
Eddie Howe leading United to their first major trophy in 56 years.
The Newcastle United boss having now been at St James’ Park for more than four years, with hopefully many more to come with him in charge.
Eddie Howe reacting to the Freedom of Newcastle award: “It’s amazing. It’s not something you ever consider at the start of when you become a football manager that you can consider that happens. I’m very, very grateful for the award and the honour. Whenever you receive an individual accolade, it’s always a bit uncomfortable with me because it’s always about the team, the players, the staff. I’m just the name at the top so I always feel a slight awkwardness receiving it for myself, so I want everyone to know I’m receiving it on behalf of everyone at the club.”
The United Head Coach always represents our club in the very best way, on and off the pitch.
Eddie Howe adding: “The most important thing about what makes this city special is the people. The positivity you get, the love for the football club, the love for life, there’s always a positive outlook here which is different to some other regions in England. Very funny people, great sense of humour, great to be around, I don’t think you ever get bored in the company of people from Newcastle so it’s got that as a fundamental stand out. The fact that they love their football club, and that they’d do anything for their football club, just adds to it.”
Eddie Howe receiving the award ahead of leading Newcastle United into this huge match in Barcelona, a win tonight would take NUFC into the last eight of the Champions League.
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Honorary Freeman status is the highest honour that the council can bestow on an individual or group. The names of all honorary freemen are then carved into the walls of the banqueting hall in the Civic Centre.
The club itself was awarded the Freedom of the City in the 1990s after celebrating its centenary year.
Eddie Howe also joins United greats Jackie Milburn, Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer as having received the honour.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Karen Kilgour, is a lifelong Newcastle United fan and she was the one who initiated the idea for the award.
Karen Kilgour declaring: “Eddie Howe gave me one of the best days of my life as a Newcastle United fan and season ticket holder when Newcastle won the Carabao Cup, but it is the way that he has represented our club, and our city, on a global stage that makes him so special. His impact on the club is clear for all to see, but it is only Geordies here in Newcastle who can truly understand the impact he had on the city. He restored pride in our football club and brought success we had only previously dreamt of.”
I wouldn’t disagree with any of that.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle is Cllr Henry Gallagher, he is also a huge United fan and season ticket holder: “Eddie will forever be an adopted Geordie and has now literally written his name into Newcastle’s history books after the presentation on Monday. It was fitting this took place on the one-year anniversary of the Carabao Cup win. That day, and the parade that followed, showed just how important the club is to the city, and how the impact goes far beyond the pitch. Eddie is right when he says the success is not just because of him, but I don’t believe it would have been possible without him.”
Once again, can’t disagree with any of that.
If (when…?) Eddie Howe leads his team to victory tonight in Barcelona, who knows what accolades could then follow…