Football manager receives town's highest honour

A football club manager has encouraged others to "keep dreaming" after he was awarded his home town's highest honour.

Cheltenham Town's Steve Cotterill accepted the Freedom of the Borough of Cheltenham - the highest award the council can bestow - at a Town Hall ceremony on Monday night.

In his speech, Cotterill thanked his family for their support and reminisced about playing football at Elmfield Park as a child.

A petition calling for the football manager to receive the honour gained more than 1,300 signatures. Rowena Hay, leader of the council, said: "These awards reflect the very best of Cheltenham."

Cotterill was first appointed manager of Cheltenham Town in January 1997 and achieved three promotions and an FA Trophy victory.

He left in 2002 and went on to manage nine other clubs, including Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth, before returning to the Robins in October last year.

The club said: "He took over with the Robins having just four points from 11 games and managed to lead the club to safety with five games to spare, something many thought was impossible given the start."

In his speech, the Cheltenham Town manager said: "There was always a reoccurring theme in my school reports: 'Stephen must stop talking about football in class as he'll never make a living out of it'.

"I don't know whether that was motivational or whether it was the truth at the time.

"If you spot somebody that you think has something special to give, embrace it and encourage them because life is nothing without dreams.

"And if you can dream and keep dreaming and keep dreaming hard, you might just end up achieving what was the dream.

"But you have to work hard at it; there are no shortcuts in this life," he added.

Cotterill also thanked his "incredibly supportive family" - his wife and two daughters - those who signed the petition, and board members.

Cheltenham Borough Council said the award is granted to local people who have "made an outstanding commitment to the local community and through their service, dedication and expertise have been able to enhance the standing of Cheltenham and its residents".

Clare Seed was also granted the honour in recognition of her work with Public Hearts CIC, along with Dave Bath, who has volunteered with many organisations.

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