Pompey players given Freedom of City

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and the members of his FA Cup-winning squad are to be honoured by their home city, the local authority said today.

The team beat Cardiff 1-0 at Wembley to claim the title in May and are to be given the Freedom of the City by Portsmouth City Council.

The move was put forward at a full council meeting yesterday and is set to be given the go-ahead at a special council meeting on July 31.

The council also plans to amend street signs at the entrance to the city to read: 'Home of Pompey, FA Cup Winners 2008'.

And the authority is considering renaming one of the bells in the Guildhall which are being refurbished to once again play the football club's anthem, the Pompey Chimes.

Portsmouth City Council chief executive David Williams said: 'It was very much Portsmouth Football Club's day at yesterday's meeting of Portsmouth City Council.

'The councillors - still overjoyed at the club's FA Cup success - and in the presence of the cup itself, started the formal process towards granting Freedom of the City for the squad and Harry Redknapp.

'A special council meeting to decide on this will be held at the Guildhall on Thursday of next week.'