ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has been officially named as an ‘Honorary Yorkshireman.’

Gareth, who has lived near Harrogate since 2001, was presented with the accolade at the White Rose Awards in Harrogate, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of tourism.

Organisers said the honour was presented by Welcome to Yorkshire to inspirational individuals who had made a big impact on the region, despite being born outside it.

"Back in the summer Gareth led the national team to its most successful performance in a World Cup for 18 years when England reached the semi-finals in Russia," said a spokeswoman.

Gareth said: “I’m very proud and very honoured. I’ve lived here longer than I’ve lived in any other part of the country, the values and friendliness of the people has been incredible.

"We love living here and have thoroughly embraced the Yorkshire way of life. It’s nice to be recognised in this way, I’m very proud.”

Sir Gary Verity DL, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “I was delighted to present Gareth with this award.

"The way he led such a young and relatively inexperienced England side, full of Yorkshire players, to such a solid achievement in the 2018 World Cup was brilliant.

"His courage, determination and insistence on doing things his own way are all true Yorkshire qualities and we’re incredibly proud he’s made our county his home.”