More to be done to recognise contribution of women's football

As Chair of the Women's Football APPG it gave me great pleasure to be part of the unveiling of a headstone for female England international footballer Mary Lyons in our constituency at Jarrow Cemetery.

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Mary was an inspirational figure but largely one of South Tyneside's forgotten heroes, like so many women her history has been erased.

She was born in Jarrow in 1902 and made her international debut at the age of 15 in 1918, most notably scoring a goal that ensured a win for England against Scotland.

Mary's goal was watched by a 20,000 crowd at Newcastle's St James' Park, making her the youngest woman to ever score for England-a record that still stands today.

Mary went on to play in other matches including cup finals, but by the time she died in 1979 her achievements had been forgotten and she was buried in an unmarked grave in Jarrow Cemetery.

At the unveiling I joined local organisation Friends of Jarrow Cemetery, members of Mary's family and former Lionesses Christine Knox, who won ten England caps in the 1970s and 1980s, and Aran Embleton, the first millennial Geordie Lioness.

Since then I have written to Ministers, and the Football Association we must recognise her achievements at a national level. It is so important that players like Mary and other incredible working-class women from more than 100 years ago are recognised and acknowledged.