Eddie Howe honoured with 'Freedom of Newcastle' | OneFootball

Howe was honoured for guiding the Magpies to Carabao Cup glory at Wembley in 2025, securing our first trophy in 55 years - and first domestic silverware in seven decades.

The victory sparked unforgettable scenes in Newcastle, as over 300,000 Geordies lined the streets for a trophy parade that culminated in a massive celebration on the Town Moor.

THE PRESENTATION

The process began last March when Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, nominated Howe for the accolade. The decision was quickly ratified by all city councillors, with a formal presentation taking place on Monday, 16th March - exactly one year after the cup win.

Cllr Kilgour and the Lord Mayor, Cllr Henry Gallagher, officially presented Howe with his Freedom of the City scroll during a small ceremony at our first-team Training Centre.

Howe's backroom coaching staff attended alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Lucy Winskell OBE, and Newcastle City Council Chief Executive, Pam Smith.

A 'SPECIAL CITY'

Howe, who joined the club as Head Coach in November 2021, said: "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 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."

A PROUD MOMENT

Cllr Karen Kilgour, a lifelong Magpies fan and season ticket holder, said presenting Eddie with the Freedom of the City was one of her "proudest moments" as Leader of the City Council.

She added: "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."

IMPACT BEYOND THE PITCH

Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Henry Gallagher, is also a season ticket holder and said Eddie had given him the best day of his life as a Newcastle United fan.

He said: "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."

JOINING NEWCASTLE UNITED GREATS

The Honorary Freeman status is the highest honour the council can bestow on an individual or group. The names of all honorary freemen are 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 joins Newcastle United greats Jackie Milburn, Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer as having received the honour.