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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 19 October 2007

Rachel Yankey

Freedom honour for women’s team

ARSENAL Ladies football team will finally get the recognition they have been waiting for when they are given the freedom of the borough next month.
The decision to bestow the honour on the record-breaking squad followed a Tribune campaign highlighting the public outcry over a decision not to give them a parade after clinching a series of historic victories last season.
On top of winning the league, the team clinched the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and National League Cup in an unheard-of unbeaten run.
But the Town Hall ruled that a victory parade in an open-topped bus was not warranted.
In 2002 when their male counterparts won the Premiership and FA Cup, they were given an open-topped bus ride along a packed Upper Street before a ribbon-decked civic reception at the Town Hall.
Arsenal Ladies winger Rachel Yankey said: “It’s nice we’ve got recognition in some way by the borough – that they see Arsenal Ladies have done well.
“Obviously, having an open-topped bus would be brilliant but you’re not going to fill the streets like the men did. In previous years when both teams have won we’ve shared the bus.”
She is not clear what being given the freedom of the borough will mean for team members.
She added: “Apparently, it means you can walk cattle up and down the borough, although I don’t know if the team’s winding me up. I don’t have any sheep or cows anyway.”
The honour will be bestowed at a special meeting of Islington Council at the Town Hall on November 26. Mayor of Islington Councillor Barbara Smith said: “I’m delighted we are able to recognise their outstanding achievement.”

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