It’s An Honour!

JR On His Surprise At ‘Freedom’ Award

A meeting of Wolverhampton sports stars, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and John Richards.

John Richards and Denis Law have more in common than having shared the Wembley pitch on League Cup final day in 1974.

They were both also serial goalscorers, one for various teams at home and abroad, the other essentially as a one-club man.

And while football has this weekend been saying an emotional goodbye to the Manchester and Scotland legend, a marksman who had him as a major inspiration during his formative years has been celebrating the honour of being awarded the freedom of the city of Wolverhampton.

The news of Richards’s latest tribute came around the same time as the announcement of Law’s passing-away – a bitter-sweet few hours concerning two men who were opponents several times.

“I’d say I faced Denis three or four times,” Richards said this afternoon, “notably in the League Cup final.

“I’d have to put Jimmy Greaves down as my favourite player when I was growing up and the England World Cup winners were obviously heroes of mine as well.

“But, living in Warrington, Manchester United and Liverpool were the main two clubs and Denis was obviously a huge star at one of those, so I heard plenty about him.

“I wonder whether the academy system would have picked him up today as he wore glasses and was so skinny that a gust of wind would have blown him over. But he obviously became an absolutely outstanding player in the same position I played in a few years later.

“Although I didn’t really know him, I’m glad to have faced him when he was playing for United and City and we all remember him swapping and wearing Frank Munro’s shirt when he went up for the presentation at Wembley.

“It has been a sad time with us losing him and Tony Book – another favourite in Manchester who I played against a handful of times – in the space of a few days.”

Law is a big enough icon of the game to have statues at Old Trafford and in his birthplace, Aberdeen, and was also granted the freedom of the Granite City in 2017.

Richards described himself as ‘surprised and honoured’ to have received the Wolverhampton equivalent, which means he follows in the footsteps of Sir Jack Hayward, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Steve Bull.

Wolverhampton Council said the award was in recognition of the ‘outstanding’ contribution Richards had made to the club, including supporting the former players, plus his charity work and the ‘exceptional impact’ he had had on the city generally.

“It’s very flattering and is one of those things that really make me wish my parents were still around to hear about it,” he added. “My mum, in particular, would have been beside herself with pride.

“My siblings have reacted a bit differently and one of my brothers said he thought I had the freedom of Wolverhampton anyway thanks to my bus pass!

An example of that fund-raising spirit!

“I came to Wolverhampton after I left school more than 50 years ago and married a local girl. Both our daughters were brought up here, so it’s fair to say that this is definitely where my home is, and my heart.

“When you look around, there are so many good things happening in the city and so many good people doing great work to help others.

“It makes me feel proud to be a member of this community and I’m happy to play a part in whatever way I can.”

The ceremony conferring freedom of the city on him takes place on February 7, after which Wolves Heroes’ co-owner will have his name added to the guest list for major events in the city, even ones as big as royal visits.

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