Lionesses' Millie Bright awarded honorary doctorate

Footballer Millie Bright has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Derby.

The Chelsea defender, 30, who captained England to the Women’s World Cup final in 2023, has also been given the freedom of her home county of Derbyshire on the same day.

Bright, who was brought up in Killamarsh, joked to BBC Radio Derby that she would be herding cattle through the streets next time she is back home.

She said it was a "massive honour and a privilege" to be recognised.

She spoke about how grateful she was to the people from her home village, where she first started playing football for the Killamarsh Dynamos at the age of nine.

"For me that's where it all started," she said.

"So many people from my village had taken time out, sacrificed to help me, to give me the confidence, tell me I was good at something that I personally think I was rubbish at at the beginning.

"I just was a very enthusiastic, passionate little girl that just loved being around people and loved kicking that ball about."

A football pitch leased by the Killamarsh Dynamos was recently renamed in her honour.

Bright returned to her old club on Wednesday to unveil it, and said it was "very overwhelming" to see so many people turn out.

"I definitely didn't expect those sorts of numbers and spent hours giving the kids signatures and photos," she said.

"I always say things like that are not a chore, it's something I absolutely love and I'm passionate about."

Bright was previously appointed OBE along with other members of England's Lionesses squad.

She was also given the Freedom of Reigate and Banstead, the borough in Surrey where she currently lives.

Being given the freedom of a city or borough sometimes entitles people to privileges, such as the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge.

While the Freedom of Derbyshire does not give any specific powers or rights, Bright joked that she would be taking advantage of her honorary title.

BBC Radio Derby's Ed Dawes asked her: "Do you know what you can do with the freedom of Derbyshire? Have you got cattle?"

She replied: "No but I know a few farmers so luckily I've got that background."

"So you can just roam them through the streets of any village you want to?" he asked.

She replied: "Yeah, when I get back off holiday I might have a little trip back and if you see the cattle running around it's just me."

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