Stars turn out as Moncur gets freedom of borough

Jan 23 2009 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A HOST OF Newcastle United stars were on hand to pay their respects to a legend last night, as Ex-Magpie Bobby Moncur was made a Freeman of Gateshead.

Sir Bobby Robson and Malcolm Macdonald attended the ceremony at the Shipley Art Gallery, along with members of the 1969 Fairs Cup winning side of which Mr Moncur was a part.

Also there were fellow Freemen of the borough, Brendan Foster and Mike Neville.

Around 200 guests watched on as Leader of the council Mick Henry and Mayor Coun Maureen Chaplin presented Mr Moncur, who lives in Low Fell, with a hand-inscribed scroll and a vase modeled on the Fairs Cup, after he signed the roll of the Honorary Freemen of the Borough.

Coun Mick Henry said: “Today marks a wonderful occasion for Gateshead Council. Only a handful of people have been given this honour and it is easy to see why Bob is joining the list. In the time he has lived in the area he has always been a great advocate for Gateshead and for the North East as a whole. He remains a very active member of the community and a vibrant ambassador for the borough.”

After the ceremony, Mr Moncur, 64, said: “It is just a great honour, I feel very proud. It is brilliant that so many people have turned out for me today, I’m amazed, and so many of the old players, its great to see those faces again. And Sir Bobby came as well, it is a real honour to see him here.

“I have lived in Gateshead for about 30 years and the place means a lot too me. I don’t know exactly what being a freeman means, but I’m very happy to be able to give something back.”

As well as his contribution on the pitch, Mr Moncur has also done charity work.

In October 2007 he was diagnosed with colon cancer but after a battle he was given the all clear in June last year.

Since then he has been a supporter of Cancer Research UK and has helped raise money for the charity. Councillors unanimously decided to award Gateshead Council’s honour at a meeting in November last year.

And ex-players queued up to pay tribute.

Sir Bobby Robson, who got a standing ovation from the guests, said: “I’m so pleased to be here. This is an honour that Bob totally deserves. He has done fabulous work for the North East over the years. He was a great footballer in his day too and I know that he would have been able top make it as a player in today’s game.”

And Malcolm Macdonald said: “I think it’s a huge honour for Bobby and it’s nice to see football getting into the news for the right reasons.”