Football legend to receive Freedom of the City
15 March 2017
A motion requesting that the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen be conferred upon Denis Law CBE has been agreed by Aberdeen City Council today (Wednesday 15 March 2017).
The motion states:
“That this Council confer the Freedom of the City upon Denis Law CBE in recognition of his outstanding career as a world renowned footballer, his dedication to charitable endeavour, and his commitment to community sport in Aberdeen.”
The motion had been signed by 29 members of the Council including the Lord Provost and the Leader of the Council.
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 states that “A local authority may, by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a meeting of the authority the notice of which specifies the proposed admission as an item of business, admit to be honorary freemen of their area persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent service to their area.”
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam said: “Denis is not only a great ambassador for the city he also supports an enormous amount of work in the local community and is involved in a number of charitable causes. This award is in recognition of his fantastic career, a celebration of his commitment to his home city, and a huge “thank you” from everyone in Aberdeen.”
Denis Law CBE said: “I’m so delighted to be honoured by my home city, it’s a huge privilege and it means a great deal to me and to the rest of my family. I try to get back to Aberdeen as often as I can – the people and the football club have a huge place in my heart. I’m an Aberdeen supporter through and through, and I’m really looking forward to being back in the city later in the year to receive the award.”
The Freedom of the City is the highest award the City Council can bestow.
The most recent recipients were Scotland the What? (2008), The Highlanders, 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2006), Professor John Mallard OBE (2004) and Sir Alex Ferguson CBE (1999).