A Boro FC club legend is set to be awarded Freedom of the Borough of Middlesbrough later this week. Alan Peacock, who scored 141 goals for the Boro between 1954 and 1964 across 238 games, will likely be posthumously bestowed the prestigious honour at an extraordinary meeting of the council on Wednesday, May 6.
Two-thirds of councillors present at the meeting need to back the proposal, although this is not expected to be a barrier to the award being conferred on Alan, who was initially due to receive the honour alongside local historian Norman Moorsom in summer 2025, but the former footballer died on June 29, 2025, aged 87, prior to the extraordinary meeting.
Proposals for the two men to be granted the title was set out in May last year, with Middlesbrough Council documents explaining that the councils may occasionally admit “persons of distinction” as “Honorary Proposed Freemen of the Borough”.
Those who have rendered “eminent services” to Middlesbrough are eligible for the award and the former England international was described in council papers as “tirelessly” working to raise awareness of dementia and support those living with it, following his own diagnosis in 2018. In a club statement, released shortly after Alan passed away, Boro described him as a “familiar face around the club, always with a smile and a cheeky quip”.
Alan was forced to retire from the game at the age of 30 due to injury and he returned to Middlesbrough where he ran a newsagents in Ormesby. He was involved with matchday hospitality at the club where he was a popular host. He played an active role within the club’s Foundation and he was heavily involved in programmes creating dementia awareness.
Fostering Dementia Awareness
Speaking about dementia in 2022, Alan said: “Being open about having dementia seems to be the right thing to do. I still don’t really understand what it is, but I’ve been told I have it, so I just have to get on with it. Dementia certainly wasn’t something I was aware of when I played football. It’s just something that has gradually started to get on top of me. I’m dealing with it as best I can and trying to carry on as normal.
“Fortunately, I have people around me who know more about dementia than I do, such as my daughter Diane, so that’s a great comfort. My family and I are hoping that, by publicly acknowledging my illness, it will raise awareness and encourage further research and support for everyone affected by this terrible, progressive disease.”
As a player, Alan was a forward and after joining Boro in 1954, he would become a regular alongside Brian Clough by 1958. He would remain at Boro until 1964, in which time he scored 141 goals in 238 games, earning the first of six England caps while a Second Division player at Boro.
His Three Lions debut came at the 1962 World Cup and since then, only Allan Clarke in 1970 has made their England debut at a World Cup. Leaving Boro in 1964, he joined Leeds United and helped Don Revie’s side win promotion to the First Division with eight goals in 14 games.
A year on from the original council proposal, Alan is now set to posthumously receive recognition, with the ceremony taking place at 7pm on Wednesday, May 6, in the Town Hall courtroom. Members of the public can attend this meeting in person by booking a place.
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