Whitby's Beth Mead: Top award 'would be a fantastic honour' says Sunderland Ladies manager
Beth Mead played for the North East side
The former football club of Whitby's Beth Mead is getting behind our campaign to get her a top local award.
We have been ramping up our petition for the Lioness to get the Freedom of the Borough of Scarborough.
Melanie Reay, head coach of Sunderland AFC Ladies, said: "I think it'll be a fantastic honour for Beth in terms of what she's done in the women's game and it would only be right for the local borough to acknowledge that.
"Beth was a young player who came through Middlesbrough RTC and then into the senior side at Sunderland at 16. She showed obviously great potential as a young player and learnt a lot of her trade at Sunderland.
"She kind of shot to fame when we won Women's Super League, finishing as the top goal scorer for Sunderland. She's hardworking and the desire to achieve and the motivation to play at the top level was always there and she's certainly gone on to do that.
"I don't think you could have predicted what she's actually gone on to do. She's probably excelled her own expectations but I think with hardwork and commitment, it just goes to show that anything's possible. Everyone at Sunderland is delighted for her and what she's achieved.
"I think she's a fantastic role model. It's really important that these Lionesses are visible. She was present at our game at the weekend against Man United and along with Lionesses who play for Man United, there was a big crowd there to support them and for Sunderland.
"There were hundreds queuing for Beth's autograph after the game and she stood there like the trooper that she is and signed everything. Fans went away happy that they got to meet one of the superstars of the summer."
A spokesperson at Scarborough Borough Council said: "Cross party councillors on our governance group consider nominations for Honorary Freeman awards against strict criteria set out in the Local Government Act 1972.
“The act states that the award can be granted to ‘persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the council, rendered eminent services to the borough.’
“Awards are therefore only made in very exceptional circumstances.
“It was agreed at our last full council meeting that we would reconvene the councillor group that considers requests for members of the public to be awarded Honorary Freeman status.”