Two of the North-East’s most popular managers are to be honoured by the region’s football writers.

Peter Reid and Bryan Robson, former Sunderland and Middlesbrough chiefs, will be presented with Legend Awards by the North-East Football Writers’ Association at a dinner at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham on Thursday, October 10.

The inaugural award is in recognition of the contribution the two men made to North East football, as they helped to put their clubs on the football map in the formative years of the Premier League.

Although silverware may have evaded them, their teams excited and entertained and their style of football will forever be remembered in a football-mad region used to being starved of success and trophies and Wembley wins.

Reid and Robson, who both played for England under former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson, were also the two men in charge when Sunderland and Middlesbrough left their much-loved but decaying Roker Park and Ayresome Park. The moves to the Stadium of Light and Riverside Stadium were pivotal in the clubs’ places in the top ten and Wembley finals, although there were relegations to deal with too.

Former players and assistants managers will be among the contributors on the night, as well as the two recipients and proceeds will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Paul Hetherington, a member of the national committee of the FWA and a former chairman of the association both nationally and of the North-East branch, said: "This is a prestigious addition to the FWA calendar of events and the national body and our sponsors, William Hill, are delighted to endorse it.

“The North East loves a hero and Reidy and Robbo certainly fall into that category. I know they are honoured to be the inaugural recipients and are greatly looking forward to the night at the Ramside Hall."

Tickets are £45 for the Reid and Robson North-East Legends Award Night at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa on Thursday October 10.

For information and tickets contact Claire Stephen on 0191 375 3080 claire.stephen@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk or Colin Young, NEFWA secretary cysportsmedia@gmail.com