Syd Millar was coach of the victorious 1974 Lions squad

After a fine playing career, Millar coached the 1974 Lions and he has since gone on to become chairman of the International Rugby Board.

The Ballymena man described Thursday's ceremony as a "huge honour".

"I very proud and humble. To be made a Freeman of your home town is something very special," he added.

"I went to school here, grew up here and played my rugby here.

"We came back here 20 years ago after having been away for about 20 years.

"People have often said to me:' You've travelled the world, are there not better places', but I've always said, that there's not".

Ballymena's Mayor Joe McKernan said Millar had "brought much honour" to the town.

"The Council thought that it was only fit and proper than we should recognise his achievements," said Mr McKernan.

Gerald Davies, one of the stars of the 1974 British & Irish Lions side coached by Millar, said that his contribution to his home town had been "quite remarkable".

"Wherever he travels, he takes Ballymena with him and in all that time, he's been an unchanged person," said the Welsh rugby great.