Former Portadown manager Ronnie McFall to receive freedom of borough

Ronnie McFall is to become the first person to receive the freedom of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Mar 2016, 13:23 BST

Updated 22nd Mar 2016, 13:37 BST

The former Portadown Football Club manager stepped down recently after a 29-year stint at the club.

The freedom proposal was made at the council meeting on Monday night and is the highest honour the council can bestow.

Two separate notices of motion were made, one from the Ulster Unionists and one from the DUP.

A UUP motion for a civic reception to be held for Mr McFall was agreed. It is in recognition of his “tremendous contribution... not only as a professional footballer, but in his service and experiences as a manager of the Northern Ireland International Challenge Trophy Series in 2009 and particularly as the longest-serving club manager in European football”.

The DUP later proposed conferring the freedom of the city and borough in “recognition of the significant contribution he has made to sport in the borough and in Northern Ireland”.