EIGHT secondary schools from across the North of England had the chance to show off their nifty footwork in the inaugural Northern Education Trust Schools' Football Cup.

Hartlepool's Dyke House Sports and Technology College organised the gathering along with Hartlepool United Football Club and it is hoped the NET cup will become an annual fixture.

Teams from as far apart as Blyth Academy, Northumberland, Kearsley Academy in Bolton and Kirk Balk Academy in Barnsley took part in the competition at the Victoria Park ground.

There was also representation from other NET secondary academies - Ryton's Charles Thorp, Gateshead's Thomas Hepburn - along with Stockton's North Shore and Grangefield Academies.

On the day, it was the home team, Dyke House Sports and Technology College, that carried off the cup, thanks to a winning goal from team captain Cameron Painter in the final against Ryton’s Charles Thorp side.

Executive principal at Dyke House, Andrew Jordon, said: “It was a superb day and it was excellent to see the high standard of football played by all of the teams."

The chairman of Northern Education Trust, Les Walton , added: “Football is a shared passion for so many youngsters and today is the chance for our students to meet one another and show off their skills .”

The NET, which is based in North Tyneside, was established in 2012 with responsibility for managing four academies. Today, it sponsors 18 primary and secondary academies throughout northern England.