Redknapp given freedom of Portsmouth

Portsmouth’s FA Cup winning squad are to be given the freedom of the city for bringing the FA Cup back to Portsmouth after a 69 year absence.

Portsmouth City Council have agreed to give the club the freedom of the city, and to celebrate their victory by putting a sign at the entrance to the city that will read: City of Pompey, FA Cup Winners 2008.

“It was very much Portsmouth Football Club’s day at Tuesday’s meeting of Portsmouth City Council,” David Williams, the Portsmouth City Council’s chief executive told reporters.

“The councilors, still overjoyed at the club’s FA Cup success, and in the presence of the cup itself, started the formal process towards granting Freedom of the City for the squad and Harry Redknapp.”

The council are also considering renaming one of the bells in the Guild Hall after the Portsmouth club anthem – Pompey Chimes.

These honours are the first that Portsmouth coach Henry Redknapp has received in his career, either as manager or player.

Portsmouth won the 2008 FA Cup by defeating Cardiff City 1-0 in the final. Kanu scored the only goal of the match, handing Portsmouth their first FA Cup title since 1939.