Double Honour in October for Fulham Legend George Cohen
To be made honorary freeman of the borough following unveiling of statue
Fulham footballing hero George Cohen is to be made an honorary freeman of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham on October 19.
It is the highest civic distinction that the borough can grant, and the honour will be conferred at a special meeting of the Council.
This is the second honour for George, following the unveiling of a statue at Craven Cottage in recognition of his service to both Fulham and England.
The statue was paid for by numerous generous donations from over 900 fans, with the target of £100,000 raised in May. This figure was matched pound for pound by Chairman Shahid Khan, with some of the money raised going towards two local programmes in dementia care, causes very close to George’s heart.
George said in the programme for the day of the unveiling, Saturday October 1: " I’m so proud and honoured to think that the Club and the supporters want to put a statue up of me - I’m flabbergasted."
Playing as
Fulham’s right-back for 459 games between 1957 and 1969, Kensington-born George was a key member of the side which won promotion in 1959, spent nine seasons in the top flight and reached two FA Cup Semi-Finals. There was also, of course, the small matter of winning the World Cup with England in 1966!
Now his second honour, which is only given out to "a select few whose civic service has been truly exceptional" will see George receiving the freedom of the borough due to his "lifetime achievements, and his exceptional service to charity in an ambassadorial role for Fulham FC and the wider football community".
"This is a richly deserved honour for a sporting hero who is Fulham through and through," says Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
"It not only marks his achievements on the football field, but also his ambassadorial role and his tireless campaigning for research into cancer and dementia, especially to help his fellow players."
You can see photos of George's career, plus behind the scenes shots from the production of the statue on Fulham FC's Cohen Gallery.
October 7, 2016
