A FORMER councillor, a community activist and the general manager of Bury FC were given honorary freedom of the borough yesterday.

The ceremony, in recognition of their sterling service over many years, took place at Bury Town Hall.

Honoured were ex-Whitefield councillor Derek Boden OBE, Bury FC general manager Jill Neville, and East Bury community activist Harry Reed. Each were presented with commemorative medals and scrolls at the special meeting of the local authority.

Derek Boden (75), was first elected to the former Whitefield Urban District Council in 1972, becoming a member of the new Bury Metropolitan Borough Council in 1974. He represented Besses ward in Whitefield for 40 years until standing down in May’s local elections.He was Bury Council leader from 1997 to 2001.

Jill Neville, a sporting stalwart, has been company secretary of Bury FC for more than 20 years and also general manager for the last three.

She was given Freedom of the Borough “in recognition of her unique and enduring contribution to the development of Bury Football Club as a community club, women’s sport and more generally sport in the community”.

Her children include the football stars Gary and Phil Neville, and netball champion Tracey, who have all represented England. Her husband Neville Neville is also well-known in football and enjoyed a long association with Bury FC.

Harry Reed (77), is a well-known and popular local community activist in East Bury, and a long-standing member of Pimhole Residents Group. He was also chairman of the SRB steering group that brought regeneration to the area. His award was given “in recognition of his long and outstanding contribution to community work, and in particular for his persistently valuable commitment and dedication to the well-being of residents and the regeneration of East Bury”.