FANTASTIC SUPPORT FROM ACROSS NORTH EAST FOOTBALL

This week we were, once again, very proud to be part of the North East Football Writers’ Association’s (NEFWA) Annual Awards at the Ramside Hotel in Durham.

Highlighting the very best of North East football across the men’s, women’s and non-league game, the night also helps our work through a generously supported raffle with prizes kindly contributed by region’s football clubs.

This year’s raffle raised £2,527 and NEFWA Secretary and event organiser, Colin Young, believes it is an important element of the evening.

Colin says: “Every year, this awards night is a reminder of just how much football in this region means.

“It recognises everything from great team efforts and young player development to the vital contributions made by stalwarts of the game at every level and within the media.

“Sir Bobby Robson supported this night as a football manager and it feels very appropriate for us to support the work of his Foundation, which does so much for people with cancer across the whole region and beyond.”

The night ended on a high, with Newcastle United’s Dan Burn receiving the Personality of the Year Award, which is given annually in association with our Foundation.

Dan, from Blyth, was be the 11th person to receive the award, which is given each year to someone who, like Sir Bobby, uses their position in football to benefit the wider community.

A hugely popular choice, Sir Bobby’s family were very happy to endorse Dan’s nomination, which recognised his commitment to supporting life-changing community projects and engaging with supporters of all ages.

Receiving the award from another former winner, Chris Kamara, Dan said he was, “very proud, adding: “It’s always nice to get a football award, not that I have very many, but to be recognised as the Personality of the Year is very, very special.

“Watching Sir Bobby’s teams was what made me fall in love with football and I’m very proud of being from the North East.

“Since I’ve come home, I’ve got back in touch with the local community and tried to make as much of a difference as I can.”

Guests at the 45th North East Football Writers’ Association Awards night, sponsored by William Hill, included Régis Le Bris, Michael Carrick and Eddie Howe, the managers of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

Sir Bobby’s son, Mark Robson, also attended and says: “We’re very grateful to Colin Young and everyone who supports this very special football night.

“My dad would be extremely proud that it’s supporting the work of his Foundation and helping people across the region who are facing cancer.

“Patients receiving treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre come from across the whole region and support many different football clubs. As my dad was fond of saying, cancer takes no account of colours, and it’s a wonderful thing to have everyone coming together in this way.”

The North East Football Writers’ Association Awards are voted for by football writers across the region and reflect achievements in the 2023/2024 season.

There were special awards for Stockton Town, Hebburn Town and FC Gateshead.

Winners of the awards for outstanding services to North East football went to Middlesbrough scout Martin Carter, legendary BBC Radio Newcastle non-league commentator Paul Dixon who picked up the John Fotheringham award and If U Care Share founder Matthew Smith who was presented with the Bob Cass award after running to every Premier League last August.

Jen O’Neill, who helped found the She Kicks women’s football magazine more than 20 years ago, was presented with FWA lifetime membership by chairman John Cross.

Other recipients included Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), Men’s Player of the Year, Mollie Lambert (Durham Women FC), Women’s Player of the Year, Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland AFC) joint winners Young Men’s Player of the Year and Elysia Boddy (Newcastle), Young Women’s Player of the Year.

The previous winners of the North East Personality of the Year trophy, in Association with The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, are:

Gary Bennett, Jill Scott, Chris Kamara, Luke O’Nien, Steph Houghton, Alan Shearer, Jermain Defoe, Steve Harper, Robbie Elliott and Niall Quinn.