THREE of the men behind the success of Yeovil Town FC's championship winning season have been given Honorary Citizenship of the Town.

The club's majority shareholder Jon Goddard-Watts, chairman John Fry and manager Gary Johnson received their awards at a civic reception hosted by Yeovil Town Council at Westland Leisure Complex on Monday evening.

The Yeovil Express backed a call made by the Yeovil Chamber of Trade and Commerce a few weeks ago that the trio be recognised for steering the club to the Football League.

And the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Julian Freke, duly presented them with the highest honour available locally and praised them for what they had achieved.

The award has only been presented twice before - cricket legend Ian Botham in 1983 and polar explorer Ann Daniels in 2000.

All three were noticeably moved and Mr Goddard-Watts, the founder of the Screwfix Direct empire, who does not often give speeches, looked almost lost for words.

They were extremely humble and at a time when tears of pride have been flowing freely since the Glovers clinched the Nationwide Conference championship, it was another moment to savour.

Yeovil MP David Laws attended the civic reception and congratulated the Glovers on their wonderful success.

He also praised Mr Goddard-Watts, Mr Fry and manager Gary Johnson on receiving their Honorary Citizenship awards.

"It was great to see the team being awarded the Nationwide Conference championship trophy at Huish Park on Saturday," he said. "It marked a triumphant end to a magnificent season full of entertaining football.

"The championship is a well-deserved reward for the football team's great performances, the hard work of manager Gary Johnson, and the long standing support of the town.

"I am absolutely delighted that Gary, John Fry and Jon Goddard-Watts have been made honorary citizens of our town by the Mayor - this award has only been on two other occasions in the last 20 years.

"Next season Yeovil Town will play in the Third Division for the first time in 108 years. I am sure that they will perform equally well next season.

"This is a great moment for Yeovil and this promotion will put Yeovil firmly on the footballing map."

David Mills, speaking on behalf of the Yeovil Chamber of Trade, who first suggested to the town council the idea of some form of civic award, said he was delighted.

"We are absolutely thrilled that the town council recognised the huge support there was in the area for this idea and our thanks also goes to the Express who publicly backed the plan," he said.

"The club's achievement is a huge landmark for the area and I can't think of anyone who will begrudge these well deserved honours being made."

Editor-in-Chief of the Express, Ken Bird, said: "I think awarding the Honorary Citizenship of the Town to these three key individuals was the perfect way to round off a wonderful season for the Glovers. It was richly deserved, but I think our big thanks must also go to the players for performing so well throughout the season."