Recognition at last for football heroine
Headstone to be unveiled at unmarked grave
A ‘forgotten’ footballer is to get the belated recognition she deserves this weekend as a headstone is unveiled on her previously unmarked grave in Jarrow Cemetery.
Mary Lyons died in 1979, her youthful achievements on the pitch having faded from most people’s memories, but on Sunday (April 27, 11.30am) a brass band will lead a procession to the grave for an unveiling ceremony led by former England ‘Lionesses’, Christine Knox and Aran Embleton.
All are welcome to attend.
Aran said: “I am proud to have been invited to recognise Mary who, like the incredible Bella Reay of Blyth Spartans and other women of their generation, played women's football until it was banned by the FA in 1921.
“Players like Christine and I, and the current Lionesses, stand on the shoulders of these brilliant working class women from more than 100 years ago.”
The Friends of Jarrow Cemetery, and in particular Stewart Hill and Tricia Vickers, have striven to get recognition for Mary after her final resting place was discovered.
They erected a 3ft wooden cross to mark the grave.
Impetus for their campaign was provided by Wor Bella, the play by South Tyneside-based playwright Ed Waugh which told of the heroics of the female footballers who took to the pitches when the men went off to fight in the First World War.
It gave a lot of talented women, many of them munitions factory workers, a moment in the sporting spotlight. Mary, born in Jarrow in 1902, became the youngest England footballer ever when she played against Scotland at St James’ Park in 1918.
She was only 15 and in scoring (in front of 20,000 people) she also became England’s youngest goal scorer.
George Le Blond, of Abbey Memorials, Jarrow, donated the marble headstone that will be unveiled on Sunday, after which there will be refreshments and a celebration of Mary's achievements at the Iona Club, Hebburn.
Due to start at 12 noon, speakers will include ex-footballers Aran and Christine along with Wor Bella co-producer Jane Harker and actress Catherine Dryden.