Albion president Dick Knight to be honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove

The man credited with saving Brighton and Hove Albion, Dick Knight, is to be made an honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove.

Mr Knight, the football club’s life president, will have the honour conferred on him at a special meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council on Thursday 12 December.

The ceremony will take place at Brighton Town Hall at 3.30pm.

The council said: “The honour is in recognition of the role he played in securing the future of Brighton and Hove Albion and using the power of sport to develop one of the country’s leading club community schemes.”

Mr Knight said: “Although I travelled around the world on business, and to Rochdale and Darlington with the Albion, I never lost my roots with my home city.

“So as a local boy it’s a privilege to receive this honour which I gratefully accept on behalf of our football club.

“It shows just how much the Albion means to our community and I’m proud we‘ve given something lasting back to them.”

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “I’m very pleased that we are able to honour Dick Knight in this way.

“He has made an enormous contribution to sport in the city and the UK by securing the future of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.

“His work through Albion in the Community also shows what a positive influence sport can be in our local communities.”