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| Neil Baldwin and Gordon Banks win Stoke-on-Trent freedom | Neil Baldwin and Gordon Banks win Stoke-on-Trent freedom |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| An ex-clown and a World Cup-winning goalkeeper have been given the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent. | An ex-clown and a World Cup-winning goalkeeper have been given the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent. |
| Neil "Nello" Baldwin - former Stoke City kit man and mascot - and Gordon Banks, England's 1966 goalkeeper and Stoke City president, have been honoured by the city council. | |
| Mr Baldwin, 69, was the subject of a BBC film Marvellous, which won two Baftas earlier this month. | Mr Baldwin, 69, was the subject of a BBC film Marvellous, which won two Baftas earlier this month. |
| Stoke City said it was "delighted" with the honour. | Stoke City said it was "delighted" with the honour. |
| Banks, 77, was capped 73 times for England. Among his achievements was a "wonder save" from Pele during the 1970 World Cup match against Brazil. | Banks, 77, was capped 73 times for England. Among his achievements was a "wonder save" from Pele during the 1970 World Cup match against Brazil. |
| He spent five seasons with Stoke City and lives in the area. | He spent five seasons with Stoke City and lives in the area. |
| Mr Baldwin, who has learning difficulties, is a lifelong fan of the club. | Mr Baldwin, who has learning difficulties, is a lifelong fan of the club. |
| During the early 1990s, he struck up a friendship with then-manager Lou Macari who gave him a job as kit man and mascot. | During the early 1990s, he struck up a friendship with then-manager Lou Macari who gave him a job as kit man and mascot. |
| The story of his rise to legendary status at the club was dramatised in Marvellous, which starred Toby Jones and won Best Single Drama at the Baftas. | The story of his rise to legendary status at the club was dramatised in Marvellous, which starred Toby Jones and won Best Single Drama at the Baftas. |
| Both men were nominated for the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent by members of the city council in October. | Both men were nominated for the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent by members of the city council in October. |
| They have been presented with the honour by Deputy Lord Mayor Kath Banks. | |
| Potteries pop star Robbie Williams was the last person to be awarded the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent in July. | Potteries pop star Robbie Williams was the last person to be awarded the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent in July. |
| Stoke City said in a statement: "The dramatisation of Neil's life in Marvellous really painted Stoke City and the city of Stoke-on-Trent in such a positive light. | Stoke City said in a statement: "The dramatisation of Neil's life in Marvellous really painted Stoke City and the city of Stoke-on-Trent in such a positive light. |
| "He's a wonderful ambassador for the club and the city and proof a positive outlook on life can help you overcome anything. | "He's a wonderful ambassador for the club and the city and proof a positive outlook on life can help you overcome anything. |
| "We're delighted that Neil has been awarded the freedom of the city of Stoke-on-Trent - it's an honour he thoroughly deserves." | "We're delighted that Neil has been awarded the freedom of the city of Stoke-on-Trent - it's an honour he thoroughly deserves." |