Buzzing Burn takes top North East award

Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has been named the recipient of this year’s North East Football Writers’ Association Personality of the Year Award, which is given annually in association with The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

It caps an excellent week for the Blyth-born 32-year-old and his team-mates following their progress to the final of the Carabao Cup after a 4-0 semi-final aggregate win over Arsenal.

They meet Liverpool at Wembley, two weeks after the awards ceremony in Durham.

Burn will collect his award at the North East Football Writers’ Association’s annual awards night at the Ramside Hall Hotel, in Durham, on Sunday, March 2, when Dan’s Newcastle team-mate Alexander Isak will pick up the men’s player of the year award, which is now in its 46th year. 

Newcastle women’s Elysia Boddy has been named young player of the year, while Sunderland pair Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham have jointly won the young men’s player award.

Mollie Lambert is the seventh Durham Women footballer in a row to win the senior women’s prize.

Dan Burn, who started his career at Darlington in 2009, returned to the North East three years ago after a decade of stints with Fulham, Yeovil, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Brighton and Hove Albion.

He has quickly earned a reputation as a player who truly understands the difference football makes in the region and will be the 11th person to receive the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation/NEFWA award, which is given each year to someone who, like the former England and Newcastle manager, uses their position in football to benefit the wider community.

A hugely popular choice, Sir Bobby’s family were very happy to endorse Dan’s nomination, which recognises his commitment to supporting life-changing community projects and engaging with supporters of all ages. 

He was specifically nominated because of his thoughtfulness and empathy in supporting families at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, which he has visited a number of times. 

One of those visits was during Childhood Cancer Awareness Week, when Dan spent time on the Paediatric Oncology Wards learning more about a greatly valued Sir Bobby Robson Foundation-funded family support project. 

He was also recently named a player ambassador for Newcastle United Foundation, and has helped inspire many people of all ages through the charity’s work. 

Dan said: “I’m absolutely buzzing with this award and would like to thank Sir Bobby’s family, the North East Football Writers’ Association and, of course, my team-mates and all the staff at Newcastle. 

“I grew up watching Sir Bobby’s brilliant Newcastle team in the Champions League and to be able to represent my hometown club in the same competition last season was a pinch-yourself moment and a childhood dream come true. 

“That idea of representing Newcastle and the North East is something that means a lot to me. I never forget where I’m from - and I’d never be allowed to forget it either! I understand the impact the club has on people and their lives and to be able to put something back into the community I grew up in is a no-brainer. 

“Sir Bobby was one of my earliest heroes.

“He stood for something very special. To win an award bearing his name and to follow in some very famous footsteps makes me very proud indeed.”   

Last year, the honour was given to Sunderland legend and anti-racism campaigner Gary Bennett. 

North East Football Writers’ Association secretary Colin Young said: “Dan is a great role model for young footballers because he’s knows the difference he can make within the community. 

“Whether he’s officiating walking football matches or talking to families affected by cancer, he goes further than simply attending events; he takes a personal interest in the people he meets, and that’s been a common theme from everyone who has spoken to us about him. 

“Everyone remembers when he celebrated a Newcastle goal using British Sign Language, having been taught how to do so by deaf fans, and that’s typical of Dan. 

“But we know behind the scenes he is just as engaged, and on visits to the Great North Children’s Hospital he gets down on the floor with young patients to play toy cars. 

“This award is so meaningful to everyone involved with the North East Football Writers’ Association because it represents the power of football to do good in the wider world, just like Sir Bobby did when he set up his cancer foundation, and we’re thrilled to see it go to Dan.”

The North East Football Writers' Association Awards night is sponsored by William Hill, and this year it will once again raise funds for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The awards are voted for by football writers across the region, and reflect achievements in the 2023/2024 season. 

There will also be recognition awards for Gateshead, Stockton Town and Hebburn Town, and the presentation of the Bob Cass and John Fotheringham awards for outstanding contributions to North East football.

The previous winners of the Personality of the Year trophy, in association with The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, are Niall Quinn, Robbie Elliott, Steve Harper, Jermain Defoe, Alan Shearer, Steph Houghton, Luke O’Nien, Chris Kamara, Jill Scott and Gary Bennett.

Tickets for the North East Football Writers’ Association annual dinner are available from claire.stephen@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk 

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