Bronze awarded Freedom of Northumberland

Lucy Bronze says despite playing most of her career away, the North East "is home"

Lioness Lucy Bronze said it was "surreal" after being awarded the Freedom of Northumberland.

Born in Berwick, Bronze played for Alnwick Town as the only girl in a team of boys before moving to Sunderland where she started her career.

The 33-year-old was nominated for her home county's highest honour after winning Euro 2022 with England.

Now at Chelsea, Bronze called the north-east of England "home" despite having played most of her career away.

"It's surreal," Bronze told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Finding out that there's only four people who have been given the award previously in the last decade makes you realise what an honour it really is."

Newcastle United's Blyth-born Dan Burn was awarded the same honour a week previously.

Bronze was part of the Lioness team that won Euro 2022

"The North East is home for me," she said.

"Obviously, I have been in so many different places in my life but this is where I call home - this is where I compare everywhere to.

"It's always nice to come back - although I don't get to come back often."

Alongside Euro 2022, Bronze has won five Champions League titles and has nine Women's Super League (WSL) titles under her belt.

She has also been named in Sarina Wiegman's Euro 2025 squad, where the Lionesses hope to defend their title.

Most recently, Bronze won the 2024-25 WSL trophy with Chelsea

More than 20 years ago, the Chronicle reported how Bronze, then aged 12, had been blocked by the FA from playing for her Alnwick Town side due to being a girl.

A lack of girls' teams for her age-group in the area meant she could only play her football in Sunderland.

Bronze said being part of the Lionesses and having success as an England team "has helped shape" better attitudes towards women's football.

"Football is a huge passion in England - why would it not be for girls as well as boys."

Lucy Bronze, pictured with the honour, has also been named in Sarina Wiegman's Euro 2025 squad

Speaking at the ceremony at Northumberland's County Hall on Thursday, council leader Glen Sanderson said he was "pleased to see Lucy here today" despite it taking "nearly three years to get her".

"She is one of the most decorated players in English football history, and has won nearly every trophy there is to win, which is a testament to what a great player she is," he said.