Rochdale Hornets awarded the Freedom of the Borough

Rochdale Hornets with Mayor Peter Rush and their Freedom of the Borough scroll

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Rochdale Hornets has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough at a special ceremony this evening (Monday 17 March) at Rochdale Town Hall.

The club was awarded the special recognition after a successful season last year.

Speaking to Rochdale Online about receiving the honour, captain of Rochdale Hornets Wayne English said: “As a Rochdale lad I am massively proud to get this honour. You play rugby to win things and to be given the Freedom of the Borough is an extra honour.”

Hornets CEO Ryan Bradley said: “It's great to be getting the Freedom of the Borough. It has been 142 years that we have been around and now we can finally take our sheep into the public houses of Rochdale. Joking aside, it is not something I ever expected. We wanted promotion and to get this is an added bonus. The boys give so much for so little so they really do deserve it. It is not only for the team but it is for the supporters as well.”

President of Rochdale Hornets, Paul Ormerod added: “It is a great honour to be able to accept the Freedom of the Borough on behalf of the club, the players and the supporters. I would like to thank the council as an institution for this honour and the councillors as individuals for supporting the idea.”

The Freedom of the Borough is a historic honour with the recipients being presented with an inscribed scroll. The council honoured Hornets in recognition of the club's distinguished 2013 season.

Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Peter Rush, a former player and long time supporter of Rochdale Hornets said: “It is an honour to be able to present Rochdale Hornets with the Freedom of the Borough in my mayoral year. It is my great pleasure to be addressing everyone here this evening not only as a Rochdale resident but as a Hornets fan.”

Council leader Councillor Colin Lambert said: “For their success in Rugby League last season, Rochdale Hornets will be awarded the Freedom of the Borough. This is not just recognition for the team but for all of the people who are behind them as well – from the physios to the doctors to the coaches and to the supporters.

"Sport is an important part of our community and such tremendous success has opened up Rugby League to a whole new generation.”

The Rochdale Hornets Rugby League team were in attendance at the ceremony as well as local councillors and specially invited guests.