Eddie Howe honoured with Freedom of Newcastle
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has spoken of his pride at receiving the Freedom of the Newcastle after being formally presented with the honour this week.
Last updated 17th Mar 2026
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has spoken of his pride at receiving the Freedom of the Newcastle after being formally presented with the honour this week.
The Newcastle United manager was nominated for the honour by the Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Karen Kilgour, in March last year before all city councillors ratified the decision the following month.
He was honoured for guiding the Magpies to Carabao Cup glory after their 2-1 defeat of Liverpool at Wembley secured the clubs first trophy in 55 years, and first domestic silverware in more than 70 years.
A few weeks later, there were incredible scenes as more than 300,000 Geordies lined the streets of Newcastle for a trophy parade that culminated in a party on the city's Town Moor.
On Monday, Eddie was formally presented with his Freedom of the City scroll by Cllr Kilgour and the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Henry Gallagher, on what was the one-year anniversary of the historic trophy win.
They were joined by Lord Lieutenant of a Tyne and Wear, Lucy Winskell OBE, Newcastle City Council Chief Executive, Pam Smith, and Eddie's backroom staff for the small presentation at the club's training ground.
Eddie, who joined the club as manager 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.."
Cllr Karen Kilgour, a life-long Newcastle United 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.
“Presenting him with Freedom of the City alongside the Lord Mayor will be one of my proudest moments as Leader and he will forever be etched on the walls of our civic centre, and the hearts of every Geordie.”
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.
“Bruno said it best on the pitch. There were fans that had been born, and sadly died, without seeing the club have any success. Even to this day those words bring a tear to my eye.
“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. He is richly deserving of this honour, the highest that we as a council can bestow.”
The Honorary Freeman status is the highest honour the council can bestow on an eminent 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, Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer as having received the honour.