Alex Greenwood of England is the first woman to be awarded the Freedom of Sefton.
The Bootle-born Lioness, who won the UEFA Women’s Euros Championship in the summer of 2022 before narrowly missing out on the 2023 Women’s World Cup, became the first woman to receive the prestigious Freedom of the Borough civic honour.
Alex received the award on Thursday, October 19th during a special ceremony at Bootle Town Hall.
Alex is one of only three people on Sefton’s Honorary Freedom Scroll, along with fellow Bootle footballer Jamie Carragher and famous horse trainer Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain.
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour that Sefton Council can bestow on an individual and is only considered in exceptional circumstances.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Sefton Council bestowed Honorary Freedom of the Borough status on Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.
Speaking after the ceremony Alex said:
“Bootle is home and I am immensely proud of where I come from.
“Bootle will always be my home no matter who I play for or where I play and I will never forget where I have come from.
“To receive this award is a really proud moment for me and my family.
“I hope this moment is a message that you can achieve your goals and I hope this encourages young girls from Sefton to want to play football and find those opportunities put there to get into sport.”
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:
“Alex is a fantastic role model for young people in Sefton and has long been a major influence in the advancement of women and girls’ football within our borough.
“Despite still being at the top of her game and competing in the Women’s Super League, Alex regularly takes time to motivate and inspire future generations of sporting stars throughout our communities.”
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, said:
“I want to take this opportunity to urge all our young sporting stars to take a look at Alex’s hard work and dedication to getting where she is today as one of the world’s best female footballers.
“Her progress is a testament to the excellent school and sports facilities we have within Sefton.”
READ MORE: ALEX GREENWOOD UNVEILS HUGE MURAL IN HER HOMETOWN BOOTLE
