Footballing hero Denis Law is set to be given the historic honour of the freedom of Aberdeen.
The Powis-born Manchester United star of the 1960s and 1970s will join such luminaries as former South African leader Nelson Mandela, Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev and famous Dons manager Sir Alex Ferguson in being accorded the honour.
The one-time centre forward spent 11 years at the Red Devils, where he scored 237 goals in 404 appearances, and also racked up 55 Scotland caps netting 30 goals.
Now, a motion to next week’s full council meeting from the Lord Provost George Adam, and signed by 29 other councillors, calls for the honour to be bestowed.
It reads: “That this Council confer the Freedom of the City upon Denis Law CBE in recognition of his outstanding career as a world-renowned footballer, his dedication to charitable endeavour, and his commitment to community sport in Aberdeen.”
After a lengthy career, including spells at Manchester City and Torino, Mr Law, 77, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football and charity.
His legacy continues to be felt in the north-east through the Denis Law charitable trust which aims to help disadvantaged children in the city through initiatives such as the recently-completed Cruyff Court.
Last night, Mr Law was not available to comment. But his wife, Diana, said from their Manchester home: “Myself, Denis and the whole family are absolutely delighted with this recognition.
“I know that there are some bygone privileges that we will be able to do now like take sheep down Union Street but I doubt we’ll use it.
“Denis has been out of action recently with health complaints… but I am hoping this will make a difference to his welfare.”
Aberdeen South MP, Callum McCaig, added: “He is the only Scot to ever win the European Footballer of the Year and, for that reason alone, he is more than deserving.”
Graham Thom, chairman of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “He is an iconic figure in football and there is no better example to young people, particularly those from the kind of working-class area which produced Denis, who has shown that talent, dedication and belief can lift them to great things.
“The Freedom of the City of Aberdeen is conferred on people who have done great things in their lives and Denis certainly comes into that category.”
It is not yet known when the ceremony will take place.
