Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marsie Skeete and Carl Quilliam.

Councillors Stan Anderson, Mary Curtin and David Chung attended remotely.

There were no declarations of interest.

Council is recommended to agree to present the person named below with a certificate conferring upon them the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough affixed with the common seal of the Council.

The motion to be duly moved and seconded is:

That, by virtue of the power vested in it by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council does admit Richard John Guy as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton.

This honour is bestowed upon Richard John Guy in recognition of his sporting achievements and continuing work within the community.

Note by Chief Executive: Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a resolution conferring the title of Honorary freeman to be passed by not less than two thirds of the Members voting thereon.

The motion was moved by Councillor Allison, Leader of the Council and seconded by Councillor Nick McLean, Leader of the Opposition. Councillor Alambritis also spoke on the motion.

Councillor Mark Allison

Thank you Mr Mayor.  I just want to say what an honour it is for me, that the first Freedom of the Borough being given in Merton, in my time as Leader of the Council is to Dickie and how proud I am of helping to make it happen.  As Stephen has said, Dickie is eminently well qualified for this honour and the whole community around Merton and AFC Wimbledon knows only too well what a great man he is.  A great goalkeeper, but even more than that a great community man.  But I also want to say that this honour will be shared, the sense of pride in it will be shared, by everyone associated with AFC Wimbledon.

Now, I was elected 20 years ago, nearly 20 years ago, and within weeks of my election the FA said Wimbledon FC could move to Buckinghamshire.  They said it would not be in the wider interests of football for a new team run by Wimbledon fans to succeed.  Well it is thanks to people like Dickie that we have well and truly put matters right.  Now, I know that many fans cannot forget that long before i was elected the Council let them down by letting the club move out of Plough Lane.  But, my goodness, thanks to this generation's Council and the hard work and commitment, more importantly of fans who are personified by Dickie, they are back at Plough Lane now and it is wonderful.

Dickie is used to saving penalties, but thanks to him and people like him, we have saved a football club and new generations of Merton residents can enjoy their football again.  So thank you Dickie.  This council salutes you and through you we salute everyone involved in AFC Wimbledon.  Thank you for all you've done for your community, not just in football but in all your community work.  We appreciate it and we wish you all the very best as you receive your Freedom of the Borough of Merton.  Thank you.

Cllr Nick McLean

Thank you Mr Mayor,

We are here tonight to confer the freedom of the borough on Dickie Guy; as has already been said Dickie has given a lifetime of service to our local community and especially to football here in Merton.

We all know of Dickies fantastic save to stop Peter Lorimer’s penalty in the famous FA cup run in 1975; and of course his years of work as AFC Wimbledon rose from the ashes to return to Plough Lane.

So I thought what lessons has Dickie shown us that can be used to inspire our next generation of Dons at the player development centre.

Well first of all, Dickie has always worked hard, he played in two hundred and seventy five consecutive games and only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.