Peterborough United icon Tommy Robson to be granted freedom of the city

Tommy Robson, 75, who has been associated with Peterborough United Football Club as a player and an ambassador for more than 50 years was put forward to receive the Freedom of the City in March but the meeting to discuss it was unable to happen because of the lockdown and the temporary suspension of meetings. The recommendation from the council’s Honours Selection Panel will now be proposed and determined at a special Council meeting before Full Council on Wednesday July 29th. Tommy is intended to be honoured at 5.15pm with full Council following at 6pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend by logging onto Peterborough City Council’s YouTube channel.

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Tommy, who was born in Gateshead, signed for Peterborough United and moved to the city in 1968 and has been involved with the club ever since. During his 13 years as a first-team player he appeared in 559 matches, a club record which is unlikely to ever be broken. He scored a remarkable 128 goals for the Posh and was twice presented with the Player of the Season award.

Tommy went on to manage the Peterborough United Youth Team, has been a matchday commentator on local radio and has, for many years, been a sponsor`s matchday host, entertaining guests and conducting tours of the stadium. Tommy has been patron of the Posh Supporters Trust, which asked the council to consider him for the honour, since 2011.

Tommy played football well into his 60s having formed the Posh Legends team, which played local teams and raised money for good causes.

In 2008, he became the first inductee into the ‘Posh Hall of Fame’. He has also supported many charities in the city and raised thousands of pounds for the Amazon children’s ward at the former Peterborough District Hospital through the Peterborough Legends football team.

He lives with his partner Helen and has two children, Ian and Anita, and seven grandchildren.

Councillor Peter Hiller, cabinet member for strategic planning, commercial strategy and investments, as well as chair of the cross- party honours selection panel, said: “Freedom of the City is the highest honour the council can award and recognises people who have made an outstanding contribution to the city and promoted it through their prominence. Tommy is indeed a worthy candidate.

“Due to COVID-19 there has been a significant delay in being able to honour Tommy which has been hugely frustrating for us all but I am delighted that we have now found a way to honour him in these difficult times.

“Tommy’s achievements on the pitch cannot be disputed, holding the record for the greatest number of appearances for the Posh, and he is undoubtedly a favourite amongst fans. But his nomination for Freedom of the City is about more than that, it is in recognition of the service he has given to the football club and the city over the past half century.

“Everyone knows of Tommy and it is this notoriety that local charities have used to promote their fundraising activities and he has always made himself available to support these good causes.”

Marco Graziano, chairman of the Posh Supporters Trust, said: “We are delighted that the Posh Supporters Trust’s sponsorship of Tommy’s nomination for this prestigious honour has been so enthusiastically embraced by councillors on the honours panel.

“Tommy is a very special and remarkable person in the local football community and his unique record will forever represent his iconic role as a footballer and an ambassador for the community of Peterborough.

“Tommy is without doubt one of, if not the most, loved players ever to grace the pitch at London Road and is still loved, to this day, by everyone connected with Peterborough United.”

Bob Symns, chief executive of Peterborough United, said: “We are delighted to learn that Tommy has been recommended to receive the Freedom of the City, an honour that he truly deserves. Tommy is part of the football club’s family and we would all be so pleased for this to be bestowed upon him. Everybody loves him and will do anything for him.”

Last summer Tommy was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and he has spoken publicly about the impact this is having on his own life and the lives of his family.