Sunderland manager the latest to back our Beth Mead campaign... as council responds
We're calling on Scarborough Council to award England star Beth Mead Freedom of the Borough
Reay managed Beth during her time at the club, where she was top-scorer for five consecutive seasons, helping them to reach the Women's Super League.
The Black Cats boss joins hundreds of people who have signed our petition, asking Scarborough Council to reconsider it's decision, after Mead was left off the list.
Reay told us: "It would be a fantastic honour for Beth, in terms of what she's done in the women's game, and it's right for the local borough to honour that."
"I don't think you could have predicted what she would go on to do, I think she's probably excelled her own expectations."
Off the back of our campaign, Scarborough council has told us it will look again at who gets Freedom of the Borough.
But a spokesperson said: "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."
What is the campaign?
We need your help to make sure one of England's top football stars is given Freedom of the Borough of Scarborough.
After helping England lift it's first major trophy in more than half a century, the council has decided not to give Beth Mead Freedom of the Borough of Scarborough.
That's despite Beth becoming the tournaments joint top-scorer of all time, and even recieving an MBE from King Charles.
Now, Greatest Hits Radio has started a petition because we agree that she should be honoured for her achievements.
Who is Beth Mead?
Beth Mead is a footballer who plays as a forward for Arsenal and the England women's football team.
She grew up in Hinderwell, near Whitby, which she describes as: "the sort of place where people are outnumbered by sheep".
Beth started playing football when she was just six-years-old, joining her local side, where she says it turned out she was "rougher than most of the boys".
She quickly went on to join the youth team at Middlesbrough, before joining Sunderland, and then making a name for herself in the Women's Super League with Arsenal.
In 2021, she became the joint top-scorer of all time at the women's Euros, totalling six goals and helping the Lionesses lift the trophy.
Scarborough councillors have now been told to reconsider their decision not to award Beth Freedom of the Borough for her achievments.