Chloe Kelly awarded Freedom of the Borough in hometown honour | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly has been awarded Freedom of the Borough by Ealing Council in recognition of her achievements in football.

The Lionesses forward, who grew up in west London, receives the civic honour from her home borough after helping England retain the European title this summer.

Kelly is, of course, already part of England folklore after scoring the extra-time winner in the Euro 2022 final against Germany at Wembley. And she added another decisive moment in July, converting the winning penalty against Spain as the Lionesses were crowned European champions again.

The 27-year-old has also carried that form into club football. Kelly’s recent impact at Arsenal has underlined just how influential she remains for both club and country.

Peter Mason: Chloe has rendered eminent service to Ealing

Ealing Council said the award was made under section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, in recognition of “the eminent service she has rendered to the Borough due to her talent and achievements in the world of football”.

Council leader Peter Mason said a formal celebration for Kelly is planned “in the not too distant future”, with the borough also looking at ways to recognise local heroes through public art. Details of the decision were reported by LondonWorld, while the council’s wider civic recognition follows the same honour previously given to fellow Ealing footballer Bukayo Saka.

Recognition beyond the pitch

Kelly becomes the first woman footballer from Ealing to receive the distinction, another sign of the broader recognition now following Lionesses players. That has been reflected elsewhere too, from the latest Women’s Football Awards nominations to wider end-of-season honours around the game.