England star Alex Greenwood is officially the first ever woman to be awarded the Freedom of Sefton.
The Bootle-born Lioness, who captured the nation’s hearts in the summer of 2022 by helping to secure the UEFA Women’s Euros Championship before narrowly losing out on the 2023 Women’s World Cup, became the first woman to be given the illustrious Freedom of the Borough civic honour.
The award was bestowed to Alex at a special ceremony at Bootle Town Hall.
Alex joins fellow Bootle footballer Jamie Carragher and famous horse trainer Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain, who had his stables in Birkdale in Southport, as the only three individuals on Sefton’s Honorary Freedom Scroll, which officially confirms her status as Freewoman of the Borough.
Being bestowed the Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour Sefton Council can give to an individual and is only ever considered in exceptional circumstances.
It follows Sefton Council conferring Honorary Freedom of the Borough status on Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking after the ceremony Alex Greenwood said:
“Bootle is home and I am immensely proud of where I come from.
“Bootle will always be my home no matter who I play for or where I play and I will never forget where I have come from.
“To receive this award is a really proud moment for me and my family.
“I hope this moment is a message that you can achieve your goals and I hope this encourages young girls from Sefton to want to play football and find those opportunities out there to get into sport.”
Read More: Eight amazing local women who deserve to be awarded the Freedom Of Sefton
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:
“Alex is a fantastic role model for young people in Sefton and has long been a major influence in the advancement of women and girls’ football within our borough.
“Despite still being at the top of her game and competing in the Women’s Super League, Alex regularly takes time to motivate and inspire future generations of sporting stars throughout our communities.”
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, said:
“I want to take this opportunity to urge all our young sporting stars to take a look at Alex’s hard work and dedication to getting where she is today as one of the world’s best female footballers.
“Her progress is a testament to the excellent school and sports facilities we have within Sefton.”
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