NEWCASTLE has been named as the greatest sporting city in the region, according to research carried out by a global satellite sports broadcaster and university experts.

ESPN and the University of Bath say the city is best place to be a fan – buoyed up by the devoted following of Newcastle United football team, the Newcastle Falcons rugby team and the Newcastle Eagles basketball team.

Newcastle rose two places nationally to 7th, securing its second consecutive year in the top 10 Greatest Sport Cities rankings.

Middlesbrough, however, is the UK’s biggest faller, dropping 26 places to 46th, while Sunderland loses its place in the UK top 10 after a 14-place drop to 24th. York remains in the bottom half of the national rankings.

The cities were ranked on 12 factors which fans identified as key to a great sporting city, including value for money, success, atmosphere, history, venues, transport links and more.

Assistant Professor Thomas Curran, of Bath University said: “We are now in our third year of research and it continues to provide fascinating insights for both professional clubs and cities to consider.

“Newcastle did particularly well on transport, finishing on top of the cities we surveyed. Fans are really satisfied with transport links that serve professional clubs – heavily weighted to St James’ Park.

“But fans are also extremely happy with social and matchday experiences. They were the top city on that factor.

"They are exceptionally satisfied with the social opportunities in and around the ground."

Prof Curran said the relegation of Sunderland and Middlesbrough football teams meant fans “aren’t necessarily as satisfied”.

He said: “Sunderland did pretty well last year. There were overall tenth, probably due to the Great Escape. Fourteen places down on that is reflection that fans are not as satisfied this year.”

He added: “On history, Sunderland is not as strong as other cities so if they don’t have a good season then they will fluctuate up and down the table.

“Middlesbrough are penalised even more by this because they have even less history than Sunderland.”

He added: “York is not renowned for its sporting offerings and its football team has struggled in recent years. Sports fans in York would like more opportunities and offerings.

“The one thing that comes through is they do quite well on is sports participation. York is quite an active city, so its not all bad.”

Liverpool was crowned the greatest sporting city nationally.