She died a forgotten hero in 1979, but WWI women's football superstar Mary Lyons has been given the recognition she deserves when a headstone on her previously unmarked Jarrow grave was unveiled on April 27.

  

Mary was born in 1902 in Jarrow. In 1918, she became the youngest-ever England footballer and goal scorer when, aged 15, she netted in front of 20,000 people on her debut against Scotland at St James' Park, Newcastle! This record still stands today, yet her achievements have been written out of history - until now! 

  

Mary died in Primrose Hill Hospital, Jarrow, in 1979, aged 76, and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave with three others.   

  

The Friends of Jarrow Cemetery have been at the forefront of getting recognition for the town's forgotten football hero and, last year, after discovering her final resting place, erected a 3ft wooden cross to mark the grave. 

  

However, Mary features prominently in Wor Bella by South Tyneside-based playwright Ed Waugh, and due to the success of that play in the North East in 2022 and its hugely successful re-run in London and Newcastle Theatre Royal last year, the Friends of Jarrow Cemetery moved to get Mary a permanent headstone. 

  

Jarrow amateur historian Stewart Hill, 73, and Tricia Vickers, 67, are members of the Friends and have led the way in getting recognition for Mary. 

  

Stewart explained: "Mary was the youngest of eight siblings, and she worked in Jarrow shipyard during WWI. She was a tremendous footballer by all accounts. 

  

"Mary debuted for Jarrow Palmers when she was only 15 and quickly caught the eye. In May 1918, she was seconded to the mighty Blyth Spartans for the Munitionettes' Cup final against Bolckow Vaughan of Middlesbrough. 

  

"Mary scored a goal in the 5-0 victory at Ayresome Park, in front of 22,000 spectators and was crowned "Player of the Match". 

  

“The following year, 1919,  Mary captained Jarrow Palmers to win the Munitionettes' cup at St James' Park, in front of 9,000 people, an incredible figure considering it was a time of the flu pandemic!” 

  

Stewart added: "So by the age of 16, Mary had won two cup finals, scored in one, captained her team in the other - only two finals were ever played - and became the youngest-ever England player and goalscorer! 

  

“What a brilliant achievement! Imagine what she would be like today, given the modern game and opportunities.” 

  

Tricia, said: "Our great friend George Le-Blond of Abbey Memorials in Jarrow has generously donated the beautiful marble headstone and genealogist Sam Nicol  has been a great help trawling through hundreds of newspaper articles for information." 

  

She continued: "Friends of Jarrow Cemetery work to keep the cemetery welcoming and clean and make it safe for people and their loved ones. This is a tremendous development. 

  

“Mary and the WWI women footballers should be an inspiration to young women everywhere.”