Home-town honour for top referee

WORLD CUP final referee Howard Webb is to be granted the highest award his home town can confer next week when he is made an honorary freeman of the borough of Rotherham.
By Martin Slack
Published 10th Feb 2011, 08:49 BST

Webb, who took charge of the clash between Spain and the Netherlands in South Africa last July, will attend a ceremony at Rotherham Town Hall on Friday, February 18, to receive the accolade.

Council leader Roger Stone said Webb, who is currently on a five- year career break from his job as a sergeant with South Yorkshire Police, was an “fantastic ambassador” for the town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “There is a lot more to this passionate Rotherham United supporter than just football and being a referee.

“He is the sort of man who, despite busy work and family commitments, has also made a massive contribution to charity.

“He is a very worthy freeman of Rotherham and we are very proud that Howard has agreed to accept this honour, which admits him to a select group of highly-regarded individuals who have done so much for this town and this borough.

Webb, who was awarded the MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, still lives in the Rotherham area and is married with three children.

Other freemen of Rotherham include Olympic gold medal-wining sailor Paul Goodison, former MP Stan Crowther, and former council leader Sir Jack Layden, who died in 1996.

Related topics:RotherhamSouth AfricaNetherlands