In this most difficult of times, we should celebrate our local heroes and the people who bring us together. Luther Blissett is the embodiment of both.

In choosing Luther to be its next Freeman of the Borough, Watford has chosen not just our club’s record goal-scorer and a thrilling, prolific striker – it has also chosen a deeply community-oriented man who is Watford through and through.

Luther has given up his time for countless charity initiatives and fundraising drives over the last four decades: supporting a Dementia Friendly Watford, fundraising for the Peace Hospice and most recently joining the #WatfordTogether crisis programme, raising money for the Watford and Three Rivers Trust (W3RT) to make sure no one is left alone during the coronavirus pandemic.

No one who was lucky enough to witness it first-hand will forget Luther’s performances that helped power Watford’s march from English football’s fourth tier to a second-place top-flight finish in 1982-83, nor his hat-trick on England debut that same season.

He inspired a generation, and could not be more deserving of this accolade. So thank you, Luther – and thank you Watford: you’ve done us proud.

Tom Osborn,

Nascot Street, Watford