Lioness to become first Freewoman of Derbyshire

Footballer Millie Bright is to become the first person to be given the freedom of her home county of Derbyshire.

The Chelsea defender, who captained England to the Women’s World Cup final in 2023, is to be bestowed the honour in a ceremony on Thursday.

Bright was brought up in Killamarsh and first started playing football when she was nine years old and joined her local team, Killamarsh Dynamos.

County councillors will need to formally vote before she is made an Honorary Freewoman, but none are expected to vote against it.

Bright, who was born in Chesterfield, was previously appointed OBE along with other members of England's Lionesses squad.

She is also due to be made an Honorary Doctor of the University of Derby.

Speaking about how she started playing football, she previously said: “I went to watch my friend playing for our local team in Derbyshire, Killamarsh Dynamos, and she said I may as well join in as it was only £1.

“While I was playing for them I was scouted by Sheffield United and joined their academy."

She stayed there until she was 16, before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles, and then Chelsea.

County councils have only been able to grant honorary freedom to people since 2009, when the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act changed the law in this area.

Derbyshire County Council said Bright was being given the honour "in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the England women’s football team".

The ceremony will be at County Hall in Matlock on 18 July, following a full council meeting.

The presentation will be made by the council’s civic chairman Tony Kemp.

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