IT'S fair to say that overall it’s been a disappointing season for the region’s professional football clubs, writes JOE COOPER.

This year saw Sunderland and Middlesbrough relegated from the top-flight and though Newcastle will be replacing one of them, this was the bare minimum expected of the Magpies in the Championship.

Hartlepool dropped out of the Football League for the first time since 1921 and Gateshead once again missed out on securing a place in the National League play-offs.

There was, however, a bit more to shout about further down the pyramid. This season in non-league saw trophy wins, trips to Wembley and promotions galore.

Of course, no non-league season is complete without its fair share of controversy and conjecture. Here are some of this year’s best bits condensed into a season summary.

OVERACHIEVERS

Stockton Town

Stockton Town were crowned Ebac Northern League Division 2 champions for 2016/17 in their first season in the league.

Having just been promoted to the Northern League in the previous season, Michael Dunwell’s side rocketed to the top of the division, eventually beating Team Northumbria to the title by four points.

Town’s rise up through the pyramid has been swift and next season will be a true test of a club on the up. Lying in Division 1 are recent FA Vase winners Morpeth Town, North Shields, Dunston UTS and Whitley Bay.

Next season will be tough, but by springing a surprise this season Stockton have proven that anything is possible.

GOAL OF THE SEASON

Nathan Cartman (Darlington) v Tamworth

Another season with plenty to choose from, but this year’s honour falls to Darlington’s Nathan Cartman for a fantastic team goal against Tamworth.

Darlington enjoyed a successful season in the Vanarama National League North and were unlucky to be denied entry to the play-offs after it emerged that their ground did not meet seating requirements.

They played some fantastic football over the course of the year and there is no finer example of this than the slick team move which even went viral.

A brilliantly worked team goal saw The Quakers pass their way around a seemingly bamboozled Tamworth, who couldn’t get anywhere near them.

MOMENT OF THE SEASON

South Shields at Wembley

There was a fair bit of North-East non-league joy this year, as Blyth Spartans, South Shields and Stockton Town all tasted victory in their respective leagues, while Spennymoor Town were promoted via the play-offs.

The moment to top all moments, however, came as South Shields crushed Cleethorpes Town 4-0 at Wembley to lift the FA Vase title. It was joint-managers Graham Fenton and Lee Picton’s fourth trophy of the campaign. Shields have simply swept all before them this season.

Their 13,000 strong travelling support was in full voice as they basked in scenes that nobody would have predicted a few years ago. A fitting end to a brilliant couple of seasons for a side who were evicted from their home as recently as 2013.

MOST CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT

Lights going out at Shields

The storm of the 2016/17 campaign preceded South Shields’ Wembley glory by only a few months. One may not have been possible without the other.

It was January, the fourth round of the FA Vase. Shields were at home, trailing 4-2 to holders Morpeth Town and Julio Arca had been sent off for the Mariners. Just as the ball hit the back of the net for Morpeth’s fourth in the 81st minute - bang - the floodlights went out.

Officials tried to get the lights back on, but were ultimately unsuccessful. Trailing the abandoned game 4-2, a man down and just minutes to go, Shields were handed another chance when the FA ordered the game to be replayed.

Shields went on to hammer the Highwaymen 4-0 in the rematch and eventually won the competition.

SHOCK OF THE SEASON

Jon McDonald

The surprise of the season came from the top of the Northern League.

Early in the season, when Fenton left North Shields to join their rivals South of the river, McDonald was the man tasked with steadying the ship.

He did so impeccably. The Robins pushed South Shields all the way in the league and cup and at one point looked like they might snatch the Northern League Division 1 title.

Alas, it all unravelled towards the end of the campaign following a 5-0 defeat in the League Cup final and a collapse in the league. North Shields finished seven points adrift of South Shields and McDonald’s men also tasted defeat in the Northumberland Senior Cup final at the hands of Blyth Spartans.

A season in which a team finishes on 101 league points and reaches two cup finals can hardly be deemed a failure, but even so, North Shields’ officials saw right to sack McDonald after less than a year in charge.