NEWPORT'S sporting heroes will be honoured with freedom of the city after members of Newport council unanimously approved the plans tonight.

Councillors from across the city's political parties welcomed the plan to honour the surviving members of the All Blacks-beating 1963 Newport RFC team and those who returned Newport County to the Football League.

Several told a meeting of full council that recognition for the team that beat the New Zealanders was long over-due.

A row over whether the opposition should have been consulted was left to one side, with Tory leader Cllr Matthew Evans seconding the motion by Labour council leader Cllr Bob Bright.

Cllr Bright revealed that costs for the honours will be minimal, with the mayor to present the award at the club with no formal reception.

He said council could “put acrimony aside this evening” and concentrate on the sporting prowess of the city's sporting heroes.

Cllr Evans said Newport County's promotion “really led to a feel good factor” in the city.

He said that while the Welsh media get carried away with Llanelli, Newport rugby beat the "real McCoy".

Labour Alway councillor Ray Truman said the 1963 All Blacks game which he attended was one of the “greatest ever” and said the club never got true recognition for the win.

“It's a long time overdue that we recognise it,” Shaftesbury Labour councillor Bob Poole said.

Gaer Labour councillor Herbie Thomas said the 1963 Newport RFC team were like the Manchester United of rugby and admired all those who followed Newport County through thick and thin.

Tory Allt-Yr-Yn councillor Charles Ferris attempted to use the occasion to call for a similar honour for toastmaster Harry Polloway but mayor Cliff Suller said he had to stick to the matter at hand and asked him to put the request in writing to Cllr Bright.

The motion was passed unanimously, followed by a round of applause for the teams.

Newport County AFC brought back Football League status to the city after 25 years, by beating Wrexham 2-0 in the Blue Square Bet Premier League play-off final at Wembley in May.

Newport RFC will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 3-0 victory for the Black and Ambers in the autumn. A special commemorative jersey has been produced.