Wayne Rooney denied Freedom of Derby honour

Councillors have unanimously voted against plans to honour Wayne Rooney with the Freedom of Derby.

The idea had been proposed in recognition of his efforts to stop Derby County being relegated following a points deduction and administration.

Derby City Council revived the plan earlier this month after it was shelved at the start of the year.

MP Margaret Beckett was also denied the honour, but boxer Sandy Ryan was given the award.

Ryan was nominated after becoming a world champion, while Beckett was put forward in honour of her long-service to politics.

At a council meeting on Wednesday, none of the councillors offered to back a motion to give Rooney the Freedom of Derby and therefore a vote was held on whether to withdraw it from consideration permanently.

Councillors voted to remove the motion unanimously.

Rooney had been nominated for his commitment to Derby County when he managed the club through one of the most turbulent periods in its history.

The former Everton, Manchester United and England striker kept the Rams in the Championship in the 2020-21 season.

He nearly repeated the feat the following year, despite a 21-point deduction after the club slipped into administration.

He left to lead DC United in the United States and now manages Birmingham City.

Derby-born Ryan is the current WBO women's welterweight champion, having won the title by a unanimous decision in April.

A council report said: "Ms Ryan proudly represents the city and speaks publicly about her strong sense of local identity. The council previously recognised her discipline, perseverance and good sportsmanship."

Labour's Dame Margaret is in her 40th year as MP for Derby South and could receive the freedom of the city before she steps down as an MP at the next General Election.

In its citation, the council said Dame Margaret had "regularly championed the city's transport engineering industry" during her long political career, which included becoming the first woman to serve as British foreign secretary in 2006.

Previous recipients of the honour include former Derby County manager Brian Clough, who led the club to the League title in the 1970s, and Olympic gold medallist swimmer Adam Peaty who trained in the city.

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