TEN million pounds worth of soccer talent graced the Tynedale Farmer function suite a quarter of a century ago for one of the district's biggest-ever sporting celebrations, the Hexham Courant reported at the time.

Keiron Dyer with Katie Helliwell and Claire Aspinall, representing the Tynedale athletics team which won the Millennium Youth Games Keiron Dyer with Katie Helliwell and Claire Aspinall, representing the Tynedale athletics team which won the Millennium Youth Games (Image: NQ) Tynedale Sports Council's guest of honour for its 25th anniversary awards night in 1999 was Newcastle United and England's dazzling £6 million star Keiron Dyer, but to everyone's delight, he had brought with him £4 million teammate Warren Barton.

Young sportswoman Kelly Rodmell and young sportsman Nick McCormick in 1999 at the anniversary eventYoung sportswoman Kelly Rodmell and young sportsman Nick McCormick in 1999 at the anniversary event (Image: NQ) Their presence was the icing on a very rich cake, as record numbers of sportsmen and women of all ages gathered to celebrate the sports council's silver jubilee.

Personality of the year Doris Gray, with Messrs Barton and Dyer, with her reward for acting as treasurer of Whitley Chapel Badminton Club for 42 yearsPersonality of the year Doris Gray, with Messrs Barton and Dyer, with her reward for acting as treasurer of Whitley Chapel Badminton Club for 42 years (Image: NQ) Switching the event to midweek had been something of a gamble for the sports council for the awards night had always been held on a Friday but it was a move which paid off well and extra seating had to be brought in.

Youth team of the year Prudhoe Youth Club under-12s with their awardYouth team of the year Prudhoe Youth Club under-12s with their award (Image: NQ) The two stars were kept busy all night, not only handing out the trophies but also signing hundreds of autographs for eager children.

Stan Calvert scholarship winner John Young with sponsor Alex Waters Stan Calvert scholarship winner John Young with sponsor Alex Waters (Image: NQ) To mark the event, the sports council delved into its archives to find individuals who made the biggest contribution to sport during the life of the council.

Sports council founder member Ian Turner, who received a special award for 25 years of service with fellow members of the council's committee Sports council founder member Ian Turner, who received a special award for 25 years of service with fellow members of the council's committee (Image: NQ) A huge list was whittled down to eight names: Haydon Bridge's Great Britain judo star and coach Winn Bolton; former British amateur champion and Walker Cup golfer David Curry from Prudhoe; Tynedale rugby player, coach and legend Alan Gledson; Tynedale and Corbridge cricket clubs' mesmeric spin bowler Ken Norton; former British amateur golf champion and tour professional Janet Soulsby; Gosforth and England prop forward Colin White from Humshaugh; many times Bellingham Golf Club champion turned administrator and course designer Ian Wilson; and former Tynedale Cricket Club captain and squash ace Mike Younger.

Some of the winners of the Tynedale Council fair play award scheme in 1999Some of the winners of the Tynedale Council fair play award scheme in 1999 (Image: NQ) All but one were present and received mementoes, but the overall winner was a delighted Ian Wilson who received the trophy sponsored by the Hexham Courant from Keiron Dyer.

Players from the middle school team of the year Corbridge rugby team who won the Northumberland county championshipsPlayers from the middle school team of the year Corbridge rugby team who won the Northumberland county championships (Image: NQ) The idea of marking the 25th anniversary came from sports council treasurer Ian Turner, who was a founder member and official of the organisation when it was set up in 1974.