Tommy Coyle and Neil Hudgell have been awarded the Freedom of the City of Hull. The pair received the honour at Hull’s Guildhall, the headquarters of Hull City Council.
The men were nominated for the honour earlier his year by Labour councillors, with both approved by the council shortly after. At the time, the Lord Mayor, Cllr Cheryl Payne said: “They’ve both given back so much to the communities that made them.”
The former boxer, Mr Coyle, who after a highly successful career in boxing, has turned his attention to community work, was nominated by Cllr Shane McMurray. During the ceremony today (November 20), Cllr McMurray gave a passionate speech.
He said: “Tommy’s story is one rooted in Hull, built on hard work, humility, and heart. Growing up in a family rooted in the city’s historic fruit market, he learned early the values of discipline, graft, and community; values that would shape his boxing career and the person he became outside the ring.”
Cllr McMurray went onto say: “It’s what came after the gloves were hung up that truly defines him. While many athletes drift into the background, Tommy stepped even further into the heart of his community. He set up gyms and youth projects to give young people save and positive spaces.”
The leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, said it is “a very fitting award” for Mr Coyle to receive, adding: “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Tommy’s work in the city. Often these awards come towards the end of people’s time.
“I think we are very much at the start and there’s going to be more chapters with Tommy making a difference in our city. For that I want to say thank you for what Tommy will be doing over the years to come.”
Upon being handed the honour, Mr Coyle said: “It’s a tremendous honour to receive such an award and we’ve got some great plans for the city that I’m really proud to be from. I’m also really honoured to stand alongside my dear friend, Neil Hudgell.”
Dr Hudgell, the solicitor, philanthropist, and owner of Hull KR, was nominated for the honour by the leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Daren Hale. Dr Hudgell has overseen the East Hull club’s 2025 Treble-winning season. During the ceremony, Cllr Hale said: “I’m delighted all the work Neil has put in over the years finally got the reward Rovers deserve, but Neil also deserves this for his incredible contribution.”
Beyond the world of Rugby League, Dr Hudgell is the Executive Chairman of Hudgell Solicitors, where his legal work has included representing victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal. During the ceremony Cllr Hale also praised Dr Hudgell’s legal career: “Outrageously, access to the law in this country often depends on the size of your wallet but the good thing about Neil and the firm he runs is that it has enabled people to get justice for their medical appointments, for personal injuries, for a range of other things.”
Upon receiving the award, Dr Hudgell thanked the council for its contributions to Hull KR over recent decades. He paid tribute to both the current, and previous administrations for support shown.
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
