North-East football has been starved of success since Sunderland's FA Cup victory in 1973.

But the long wait for silverware was well worth it judging by yesterday's overwhelming response from fans to Middlesbrough's joyful home-coming with the Carling Cup.

In one of the most memorable days in the town's history, more than 100,000 people turned out to pay tribute to Steve Gibson, Steve McClaren and the team.

Our congratulations go to Middlesbrough FC, Cleveland Police for their successful organisation of the victory parade, and the fans who behaved impeccably.

Hours later, Sunderland made it an extra-special day for the region by beating Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

With Premiership top clubs Arsenal and Manchester United lying in wait in today's draw, it is probably expecting too much for Sunderland to bring home a second major trophy to the region.

But then again, that's what the experts said when Sunderland defeated red-hot favourites Leeds United 31 years ago.

And what better tribute could there be to the memory of cup-winning manager Bob Stokoe, who died last month.

Racing priority

CHAMPION jockey Kieren Fallon has opened a huge can of worms with his comments to undercover Sunday newspaper reporters.

His spot-on prediction that a specific horse would beat his own well-fancied mount at Lingfield, coupled with the nature of his subsequent defeat, and irregular betting patterns before the race, does not look good.

This is potentially racing's biggest ever scandal and that is why the Jockey Club inquiry has to be unflinching.