18 July 2008
1966 football hero to receive Freedom of the City of
London
Martin Peters MBE, who played for England in the World Cup
winning match against Germany in 1966, will receive
the Freedom of the City of London on Monday 21 July at 2.00pm
at the historic Guildhall, London EC2. Martin Peters was nominated
by Alderman Gordon Haines and Sheriff Ian Luder.
One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in
existence today, the Freedom of the City of London is believed to
have begun in 1237. Traditionally, it gave recipients the freedom
to earn money and own land – usually only bestowed to feudal lords.
Today it is not an award but links recipients to London’s City as
they pledge to “keep this city harmless.”
Martin Peters scored the first goal in England’s legendary 4-2
defeat of Germany to take the World Cup in 1966. Peters was born in
Plaistow, London and began his career at West Ham. He went on to
play for Tottenham Hotspur (who paid a record-breaking £200,000 for
his transfer in 1970), Norwich City and Sheffield United.
Alderman Gordon Haines said: "I'm delighted that Martin Peters
is receiving the Freedom of the City - he is a true London hero. As
a lifelong West Ham fan myself, I'm especially proud that Martin's
patriotism and exceptional achievement is being recognised by the
City community in this way. I have known Martin for several years
through our involvement with the Bobby Moore fund for cancer relief
and look forward to working with him for many years to come."
Ends
Notes to editors
Monday 21 July:
2.00pm Private Freedom Ceremony at Chamberlain’s Court,
Guildhall Yard, off Gresham Street, London EC2
2.20pm Short photo opportunity* following ceremony with Martin
Peters, MBE
Venue – Guildhall Yard, off Gresham Street, London EC2.
* if you wish to attend the photo opportunity please contact
Laura Citron in the City of London press office, 020 7332 1835 or
07784 295 736 or
laura.citron@cityoflondon.gov.uk
About the Freedom
One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in
existence today, the Freedom of the City of London is believed to
have begun in 1237. Today, it is not an award but links recipients
to London’s City as they pledge to “keep this city harmless”.
Following a declaration and signing of the Declaration Book, those
receiving the Freedom are now given a document of sheepskin
parchment called ‘copy of Freedom’ and a book entitled ‘Rules for
the Conduct of Life”.
The Freedom gives two benefits to the recipient: if a Freeman's
children are orphaned, they may be educated at The Freeman’s School
at Ashtead in Surrey at no cost to the family; or if in old age, a
recipient is destitute, they may qualify for housing in the Alms
houses. Many of the traditional privileges associated with the
Freedom, such as driving sheep across London Bridge; to go about
the City with a drawn sword; and to be married in St Paul's
Cathedral have long since disappeared.
The City of London provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also
extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the
Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000
acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority.
Press contact
Laura Citron in the City of London press office, 020 7332 1835
or 07784 295 736 or
laura.citron@cityoflondon.gov.uk