The last living member of the Derby County’s FA Cup winning side in 1946, Reg Harrison, has formally been presented with the Freedom of the City by Derby City Council.
Born in Derby, Mr Harrison, 95, played the full game, aged just 22, in the Rams’ only ever FA Cup triumph. They beat Charlton Athletic 4-1 after extra time in the final of the competition.
A right winger by trade, Mr Harrison played 281 games for Derby County and contributed 59 goals in an 11-year spell between 1944-55.
During World War Two he served with the Royal Engineers, serving as an Army training officer based in England. He guested for Sheffield United, Notts County, Charlton Athletic and Hartlepools United during the war.
After retiring from the game, Mr Harrison continued inspiring the future generations of players and supporters of Derby County Football Club and the City of Derby generally.
He worked for Derby City Councils Youth Service setting up a Youth Centre on Stockbrook Recreation Ground in the late 1960s known as 'Reg’s'. Later he moved to Chaddesden as he set up the Chesapeake Youth Club and football club.
Derby City Council moved to recognise these outstanding achievements by awarding him the Freedom of the City in November 2018.
Derby County representatives Mel Morris CBE (Executive Chairman), Frank Lampard (Manager), Stephen Pearce (Chief Executive Officer) and Roy McFarland (Director and Club Ambassador) were there to greet Mr Harrison at Derby City Council House this afternoon.
Footage of Mr Harrison's career was played out on the big screen as well as highlights from the FA Cup final in 1946.
