Dean Lewington was awarded the Freedom of the City this evening in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to both Milton Keynes Dons Football Club and the City of Milton Keynes for more than two decades.
In a ceremony attended by his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the Mayor of Milton Keynes and Milton Keynes City Council, Dean was presented with the Freedom of the City Award following the conclusion of his astonishing professional playing career in MK.
Now working at MK Dons as a Development Coach, Dean’s continued association with the club was proudly celebrated, with recognition of the fact that he continues to guide and inspire the next generation of footballers in Milton Keynes.
Lewington, who retired at the end of the 24/25 season, is a true icon of the club and the city with 917 appearances for the Dons, making him the club’s all-time appearance record-holder.
In 2023, he set a new English Football League record for the most league appearances for a single club, surpassing John Trollope’s 40-year-old record for Swindon Town.
‘Lewie’ was surprised by the announcement of the award at ‘An Evening with Dean Lewington’, a Gala Dinner held in his honour in May of this year and tonight received the award four months later.
A prominent figure at MK Dons ever since the club’s formation, Lewington has achieved three promotions with the Dons, as well as a league and cup double in 2007/08.
Present for many of the club’s most iconic moments, including the famous 4–0 win over Manchester United in 2014, Dean was also a key part of the squad that secured promotion to the Championship in 2015 and has stepped in as interim manager of MK Dons on three occasions.
The Freedom of the City is the highest honour Milton Keynes City Council can bestow, recognising individuals who have provided exceptional service or are considered people of great distinction. While the award does not carry any formal privileges, it reflects the high esteem in which the recipient is held by the city.
Lewington is now the second individual recipient of the Freedom of the City since Milton Keynes was granted city status in 2022, following Lionesses’ Captain, Leah Williamson’s award in 2023.
Dean is only the fifth person to be awarded the Freedom of Milton Keynes in any form, with previous recipients of Freedom of the Borough being former MK Dons Chairman, Pete Winkelman in 2015, Cleo Laine in 2011, and Jim Marshall in 2009.
