Bella Raey

Personal life She was the daughter of a coal miner, born in Cowpen, Northumberland in 1900. She worked in a munitions factory and played football for Blyth Spartans during the First World War. After the war, she married, becoming Mrs Henstock and had a daughter. She continued to work into her 60s on a farm. She died in 1979. It rapidly became the best women's football team in North East England, substantially aided by Reay's skill. The team played at Croft Park, the home of Blyth Spartans A.F.C. Large crowds came to the matches and the money taken at the gate was donated to charity. From September 1917 to May 1918 the team competed in the Munitionettes' Cup (officially called the Alfred Wood Munition Girls Challenge Cup). Blyth Spartans won 26 and drew four of the matches on their way to winning the Munitionettes' Cup. Reay scored 133 goals during the 30-match series, including six in one match and four in the final at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough.

In late December 1917, Reay opted to play for her team against Newcastle Ladies, rather than a trial match at Wallsend for a place in the England team. She had been selected for the Possibles team, rather than the Probables.

Reay's story appears in the film Asunder, a film by Esther Johnson (film producer) funded by NOW WW1 centenary arts commissions.