Approved – Eddie Howe awarded the Freedom of the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne | OneFootball

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has now been awarded the Freedom of the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Formal approvement now in place.

The vote taken today (28 May 2025) after the leader of Newcastle City Council put forward the motion.

Newcastle United official announcement – 28 May 2025:

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been awarded the Freedom of Newcastle – the city’s highest honour.

Newcastle City Council members today (28 May) approved the motion put forward by Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of the Council, in the immediate aftermath of the club’s historic Carabao Cup win over Liverpool.

The Wembley win on March 16 brought an end to a 70-year wait for domestic silverware for the club and prompted jubilant scenes of celebration among fans in London and outside St. James’ Park.

The magnitude of what the win meant to supporters was perfectly demonstrated by hundreds of thousands of supporters joining in an unforgettable city centre parade and celebration event at the Town Moor just two weeks later.

Cllr Kilgour, a lifelong supporter and a season ticket holder at St James’ Park, nominated Howe to receive the Freedom of the City – the most prestigious honour the city can bestow upon an individual or group – within 48 hours of the final whistle at Wembley.

“Eddie Howe will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements during his time at the club so far, and I’m thrilled members recognised the significance of his contribution to our city by approving to bestow upon him the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle,” she said.

“That special day at Wembley gifted Geordies something they hadn’t seen in 70 years – domestic trophy success. For a city that lives and breathes sport with a football club around which so many lives revolve, the wait to see black and white shirts lift a trophy at the home of football had long felt it would go on forever.

“Since day one, Eddie brought hope, belief and ambition back to the club and its fans around the world, myself included. What it meant was clear to see from the celebrations around London and outside St James’ Park on March 16, and was projected to the world during the unforgettable parade through our city which brought hundreds and thousands of happy fans together to celebrate with their cup-winning heroes.

“More than being the man who brought silverware back to Tyneside, Eddie is a fantastic ambassador for our city. He is passionate yet calm, inspiring and polite, and handles himself with grace in the face of both success and defeat.

“Newcastle United always has been, and always will be, a major part of life in our city. Under Eddie’s leadership, the magic of what the club is all about is back and here to stay.

“We will now work with the club to arrange a celebration to present Eddie with his thoroughly-deserved award.”

Eddie Howe, who was appointed manager of Newcastle United in November 2021, has since helped secure the club’s return to the Champions League in the latest of a growing list of accomplishments.

The Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle is the highest honour the city can bestow and is a civic recognition. Eddie will have his name inscribed in the wall of the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre, alongside the names of other recipients.

He joins an exclusive list to have received the award, including other Newcastle United figures such as Alan Shearer, Sir Bobby Robson and Jackie Milburn. The club itself was awarded the Freedom of the City in the 1990s after celebrating its centenary year.