WITH another season behind us, there have been numerous heroes that have emerged from an incredible campaign.

Whether there has been a managerial change, a relegation fight or a push to a cup final, all five of the regions clubs have had their star men. Here is the Northern Echo SPORT North-East team of the season.

SHAY GIVEN (Newcastle) Officially named in the Premier League team of the season and that was a result of many heroic displays and was deservedly rewarded with a five-year deal.

PETER RAMAGE (Newcastle) A centre-back by trade but solved the Magpies right-back problem by proving to be more than your average stop gap.

CHRIS RIGGOTT (Middlesbrough) By far and away the North-East's most consistent defender, and looks destined to step into Southgate's captaincy shoes in the not too distant future.

SHELTON MARTIS (Darlington) The Dutchman slotted into the backline comfortably in his first season in the English game and was instrumental in his side's push for a play-off place.

RITCHIE HUMPHREYS (Hartlepool) Asked by two different managers to play in a variety of positions yet the skipper rarely looked out of place. A double club player of the year winner.

LIAM LAWRENCE (Sunderland) Sunderland's player of the season may not have ended the campaign in form but his earlier display on the right flank earned him his first international call up for Ireland.

LEE CATTERMOLE (Middlesbrough) Showed an incredible desire and assurance on the Premiership and European stages, despite only making his debut at the age of 17 on January 2.

SCOTT PARKER (Newcastle) Strong in the tackle and tidy on the ball, £6.5m well spent, even if his form was not rewarded with a World Cup place.

CHARLES N'ZOGBIA (Newcastle) Started the season behind Albert Luque but the young winger's form kept the £9.5m man on the bench. Has the potential to be one of the best wide-men in the Premiership.

ALAN SHEARER (Newcastle) By his standards his final season may not have gone to plan but, nevertheless, he finally surpassed Jackie Milburn's 200 goal total to become Newcastle's all time record goalscorer.

AIYEGBENI YAKUBU (Middlesbrough) Without a goal since early March but his 19 goals still ensured he finished as Boro's top scorer and the region's most prolific front-man.

SUBS

Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough) Memorable displays - particularly in Rome - helped Boro to the UEFA Cup final and when injured it was highlighted just how much he was missed.

Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) Eight goals since an altercation with fans in February and the Aussie, who had looked a shadow of his former self beforehand, proved himself to be one of the best.

Danny Collins (Sunderland) Snapped up for a bargain fee from Chester City and grew in stature as the campaign developed. A sign of his rise was how Gary Breen was allowed to leave this week.

George Boateng (Middlesbrough) The Dutchman's failure to earn a World Cup place has hurt, and so it should after proving himself to be one of the best midfielders of his type in the Premiership.

Nolberto Solano (Newcastle) Scored the occasional memorable free-kick and was an integral part of the Roeder revolution.