Vaughan gets freedom of Sheffield

Michael Vaughan captained England to Ashes glory

Ashes-winning England captain Michael Vaughan is to be given the freedom of his home city of Sheffield, it has been announced.

The 30-year-old, who lives in the upmarket Dore area of the city with his wife, Nichola, and baby daughter Tallulah Grace, becomes Sheffield’s sixth honorary freeman, joining such diverse names as Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and astronaut Helen Sharman on the roll of honour.

Lord Mayor Roger Davison said: “It’s great for Sheffield that Michael has led England to this success in such a spectacular manner.

“His leadership has made everyone in the city immensely proud, and he fully deserves the honour of Freedom of the City.

“Like everyone else, I’ve been on the edge of my seat watching the Test series unfold, thoroughly impressed by Michael’s calm and decisive captaincy.

“Sheffield is very proud of Michael Vaughan.”

City Council leader, cricket fan Jan Wilson, said: “Michael Vaughan’s captaincy throughout the series was brilliant, out-thinking Ricky Ponting and bringing the best out of the England players.

“I have been watching cricket since I was a teenager, and used to go to Headingley, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford and elsewhere with my dad, but I’ve never seen anything like what’s happened this summer.

“Michael fully deserves this honour from the people of Sheffield, and I’m delighted that the council has chosen to give it to him.”

Vaughan was born in Manchester but moved to Sheffield as a child and went to Silverdale School. He and his wife are expecting their second child.