A TOWN is looking at ways of honouring its global sports stars – including sprinter Richard Kilty, who has just won an Olympic silver medallist in Tokyo.
Ex-Boro star Jim Platt, who is now a councillor in Middlesbrough, says he thinks it is time sports stars from the town were given recognition.
Among them would be Olympians Kilty, who won a silver in the 4x100m relay in Friday's final, swimmer Aimee Willmott, who came seventh in the final of the 400m individual medley at her third games and table tennis player Paul Drinkhall who was also competing in his third Olympics.
Cllr Platt, who was Middlesbrough FC’s goalkeeper from 1971 to 1983, has suggested having an honours board.
He said: "We should honour our own.
"We can’t give everyone the Freedom of Middlesbrough but I do believe an honours board or something similar would be appropriate – ideally somewhere accessible to the public.
“I’ve spoken to Andy Preston about us honouring not only our Olympians but the town’s globally successful sports stars of the past and present.
“I’m delighted that the mayor agrees we should recognise their incredible achievements and not just their talent but the dedication and hard work it took to make them so successful in sport.”
Last month, England football coach Gareth Southgate, a former Middlesbrough manager, was given freedom of the borough for his efforts during the recent Euros.
Andy Preston, mayor of Middlesbrough, has backed the idea.
He said: "It was fantastic to see Middlesbrough-born sports stars fulfilling their potential on the biggest stage of all at the Olympic Games.
“I think it’s important we celebrate all international sports stars who have strong Middlesbrough roots.
“I’ve known Richard Kilty and his family for a few years and I know how hard he has worked to make his dream come true, supported by his dad Kevin.
“Impressively, Aimee Willmott and Paul Drinkhall were both at their third Olympics, but there are so many others who deserve to be officially celebrated by the town too.
“Apart from Jim’s idea of a roll of honour, one idea might be to rename one of the rooms in the Town Hall and feature photographs of all the town’s global sports stars on its walls.
“But Jim and I will talk further with others and decide what the best way forward is, while we’d naturally like to hear what Middlesbrough residents think.”
Cllr Platt, who is fifth on Boro’s all-time appearances list, having played 481 times for the club,wants to honour the town’s stars across all sports.
He added: "The recent focus has rightly been on Richard, Aimee and Paul.
“Richard’s achievements speak for themselves, while Aimee was the seventh best in the world at her chosen sport. That’s a hell of an achievement.
"But we also have Glenn Durrant, a world darts champion, and former Middlesbrough footballer Stewart Downing, who was capped 35 times for England and has just retired from playing.In the past, there was people like brothers Alan and Chris Old, who played for England at rugby and cricket respectively, and there are many others too who deserved to be mentioned.”
Middlesbrough’s other international sports stars include footballers Brian Clough, Wilf Mannion, Alan Peacock, Jonathan Woodgate, Stuart Ripley and Don Revie, cricketers Liam Plunkett and Bill Athey, cyclist Chris Newton, long jumper Chris Tomlinson, speed walker Johanna Jackson, swimmer Jack Hatfield and Paralympian Jade Jones.
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