Sir Bill Beaumont: Calls for freedom of borough award for rugby star

A proposal has been tabled for Sir Bill Beaumont to be given the freedom of Fylde

A council leader is calling for Sir Bill Beaumont to be given a Freedom of the Borough award for his service's to rugby.

Beaumont played rugby for Fylde and Lancashire, before becoming England captain in 1978.

Fylde Council leader Karen Buckley proposed the rare motion, saying he had driven "transformational" reform in rugby.

She said he also "made a great contribution" to the Fylde community.

Ms Buckley's proposal comes after Sir Bill was given a Knighthood in 2018, followed by an award for the Knight Grand Cross in this New Year's Honours list.

Player welfare

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that a council can bestow but is a power that is very rarely used.

In the Notice of Motion, Councillor Buckley said: "Sir Bill Beaumont has not only subsequently driven transformational governance reform in support of world rugby, but he has also driven improvements for player welfare and wellbeing."

She described how Sir Bill had made a great contribution to the local community and was involved in many charities, locally, nationally and internationally.

The award is given to local people or bodies who have, in the opinion of the council, made a significant contribution to the local area or achieved something outstanding.

The only individual to have previously received this award from Fylde Council is former Fylde MP Michael Jack CBE in 2010.

The Queen's Lancashire Regiment and AFC Fylde collectively received the honour in 1990 and 2008 respectively.

Sir Bill began playing for Fylde Rugby Football Club aged 17, making his England debut at 22 and earning 34 caps for his country, 21 of those as captain.

After retiring from playing for Fylde RFC, and for Lancashire and England, he became one of sport's leading administrators.

Now chairman of World Rugby, he was formerly chairman of the Rugby Football Union and appeared as a team captain on BBC's A Question of Sport for 14 years.

The decision on the Notice of Motion will be made at the full council meeting scheduled for 12 February.