Darts world champion Michael "Bully Boy" Smith was among those granted freedom of the borough in St Helens.
The 32-year-old made headlines in January, after he defeated Michael Van Gerwen in a stunning final to take home the PDC World Championship trophy. His triumph was watched by millions around the world, with his astonishing nine-dart finish en-route to victory going viral
Being granted "freedom of the borough" is an honorary title, and the highest honour councils can grant. Now ranked world number one, Bully Boy went on to take home the Bahrain Darts Masters just weeks later, firmly placing St Helens on the global sports radar.
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Paying tribute to Michael at a Borough of Culture launch event at the World of Glass Museum on Saturday, March 4, St Helens Borough Council Leader Councillor David Baines, said: “Michael Smith’s world title win in January captured the imagination and attention of everyone in St Helens and of sports fans everywhere. It was actually his second world title, having won the PDC Youth world championship in 2013 – and he is the only player to have won both.
“His humble nature, his professionalism, dedication and skill is an example to all of us and he has inspired all of us and an entirely new generation of darts fans. He wears the red vee with pride, and we are delighted to nominate him for our borough’s highest honour.”
Another sporting legend to be granted freedom of the borough was Saints captain James Roby, who has given two decades of his life to the rugby team. Born and bred in St Helens, the former Cowley International High School pupil holds the record for Super League appearances and is on the verge of overtaking Kel Coslett as Saints’ most capped player, having firmly cemented his legendary status many years ago as one of the greatest players to pull on the famous Red V - and as one of the world’s best to play the game of rugby league.
No stranger to silverware, 37-year-old Roby lifted 12 trophies during his time at Saints – most notably as captain of an unprecedented four Super League Grand Final-winning teams - with a fifth in sight this season - and most recently, the World Club Challenge following Saints’ historic victory against Penrith Panthers in Australia last month.
Also named among the honours was St Helens MP Marie Rimmer and The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, the army regiment for St Helens.
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