Dick Knight made a freeman of Brighton and Hove

Mr Knight, life president and former chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, will be conferred as an honorary freeman at a council meeting on the December 12.

The honour recognises his role securing the future of the club and using the sport to develop one of the country's leading club community schemes.

Mr Knight said: “Although I travelled around the world on business, and to Rochdale and Darlington with the Albion, I never lost my roots with my home city.

“So as a local boy it's a privilege to receive this honour which I gratefully accept on behalf of our football club.

“It shows just how much the Albion means to our community and I'm proud we've given something lasting back to them.”

The former advertising executive is currently promoting his autobiography about his time at the club and role securing the Amex stadium.

He is only the seventh person to receive the honour since the city was created in 2000.

Earlier this year former bus boss Roger French was made an honorary freeman of the city for keeping Brighton and Hove moving for 30 years.

Other recipients include veteran Argus local government correspondent Adam Trimingham; late World War One veteran Henry Allingham, at one point the world's oldest man; Burma's pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi; Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal who rescued 29 injured troops during missions in Afghanistan; and Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett.

Last week Mr Knight published his best selling autobiography, Mad Man, which has provoked strong reaction from former fellow directors at the club.

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “I'm very pleased that we are able to honour Dick Knight in this way, he has made an enormous contribution to sport in the city and the UK by securing the future of Brighton and Hove Albion football club.

“His work through Albion in the Community also shows what a positive influence sport can be in our local communities.”