England hero Kieran Trippier set to be given the Freedom of Bury
England World Cup hero Kieran Trippier is set to be granted the freedom of Bury.
The 27-year-old has been singled out as one of the revelations of the World Cup in Russia, even earning glowing praise from legendary Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.
Now Bury Council bosses have announced they want to bestow the rare honour on the defender on his return.
Town hall chief Rishi Shori said he would be nominating Trippier for the Freedom of the Borough of Bury for the contribution he has made to the 2018 World Cup - and the example he is setting to children across the town.
The announcement, made at a meeting of the council, comes as England prepare to face Belgium in the third place play-off on Saturday after the heartbreak of the 2-1 semi final loss to Croatia.
Trippier however is an injury doubt for the game after he limped off with a groin problem at the end the Croatia game.
A number of Trippier’s family members flew out to Russia for the quarter-final game against Sweden, followed by the semi-final, having watched the Colombia knock-out triumph back home.
The family home in Summerseat, near Ramsbottom, sports a 20ft high flagpole displaying a huge St George’s Cross flag with ‘Trippier 2’ on it.
Cllr Shori said it was the highest civilian award the council could bestow. Previous recipients include Bury band Elbow, award-winning film director Danny Boyle and Jill Neville, mother of former England footballers Gary and Phil.
Cllr Shori said: “Kieran and his England team mates have given a huge amount of joy for local people with their incredible performances during the World Cup. To reach the semi-final for only the third time in England’s history is an amazing achievement. I was nine-years-old the last time it happened.
“Kieran himself was outstanding, scoring a penalty in the shoot-out with Columbia and of course, that unforgettable free kick again Croatia.“He is now only third Englishman to have scored in a World Cup semi-final and certainly the first from Bury.
“He deserves to be acknowledged. He is a huge role model to younger people and hopefully can inspire the next generation of footballers in Bury.”Bury’s Conservative leader, Cllr James Daly, supported the call.
Cllr Daly said: “What he has done and the example he has set for the young people of this borough, and the impact he can have on young lives, cannot be underestimated.
"We completely agree with this and can we do it sooner rather than later in the aftermath of the World Cup campaign and at a location where lots of young residents can be there to watch their hero?”
Trippier grew up in Summerseat, attending Holcombe Brook Primary School and Woodhey High School.
His footballing career began in the youth system at Manchester City before he went to Barnsley on loan then signed for Burnley. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur for £3.5 million in 2015.
Meanwhile the council also announced it is working with the Lancashire FA and the Football Foundation over the introduction of new 3G pitches across Bury.