In pictures: Celebrating junior football in Newcastle & the North East

Football isn’t just about the big names at the big clubs in the North East. It’s about little lads and lasses pulling on their boots and mams and dads organising their lives around lifts to training sessions, supporting from the sidelines, raising funds, helping to coach, cleaning kits and giving those hugs in celebration or commiseration, depending on the day.

The Chronicle recognises that for families across the North East, junior football is a big part of day-to-day life, and this gallery pays tribute to the passion and commitment of all the youngsters involved.

We invited clubs and leagues across the region to send their team photos, and we have included them all here along with some great action shots by Alan Hewson Photography.

A Your Team supplement, featuring most teams, is published in The Chronicle on Saturday, July 1. For back copies call 0191 201 6300.

Even if you are not involved yourself, the looks on these faces will lift your heart.

Ashington Town Reds Under 9s, Bedlington Town, Bedlington Town FC Girls, Bedlington Utd U10s, Berwick Juniors, Berwick Rangers, Birtley Town Juniors FC Girls Under 12s, Blaydon YC, Blyth Town Barça Under 13s Girls, Blyth Town Whites Under 10s, Chester le Street Town Whites Under 7s, Cramlington Jnrs, Cramlington Town, Cramlington Utd, Corbridge United Under 10, Cullercoats FC Under 14s Girls, Durham Fed Under 13s, Ellington Jnrs Hawks Under 8s, Felling Magpies Under 11s, Gosforth PSV Under 10s, Gosforth Under 10s PSV, Heaton Hawks Under 7s, Hexham Porto Under 10s, Kingston Park Warriors, KYPC Jags Under 7s, Killingworth Young People’s Club Storm Under 14s, Leam Rangers, Longhoughton Rangers, Lumley Ladies Under 14s, Montagu and North Fenham Lionesss Under 9 Girls, Montagu and North Fenham Whites Under 11s, Montagu and North Fenham FC Blues Under 9s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 7s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 8s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 9s, Montagu and North Fenham Reds Under 10s, Montagu and North Fenham Under 7s Reds, Montagu Blues Under 7s, Montagu Blues Under 8s, Morpeth Town Girls, New Fordley Juniors Under 10, Newcastle Benfield FC, Newcastle Benfield Girls, Newcastle Benfield Under 15s, Newcastle Benfield Juniors San Siro Under 13s, Newcastle Benfiield Olympico Under 7s, Newcastle Benfield Under 14s, Newcastle Benfield Tardini U7s, Newcastle Boys Club Inter U10s, Newcastle City Juniors Under 9s Benfica, Newcastle East End Blues Under 9s, Newcastle East End FC, Newcastle East End FC Blues Under 13s, Newcastle East End Blues Under 14s, Newcastle East End Blues Under 10s, Newcastle East End FC Under 15s, Newcastle East End Under 9s Reds, Newcastle East End Under 11s Reds, Newcastle East End Under 12s Reds, Newcastle East End Whites Under 10s, Newcastle East End Girls Under 10s, Paul Burke Under 10s, Newcastle East End Girls Under 11s Blues, Newcastle East End Girls FC Under 9 Blues, Newcastle East End Red Girls FC Under 11s, Newcastle West End, North Shields Juniors AFC, Northburn Wanderers, NSGathletic Cobras Under 9s, Olympico Under 8s, Paul Burke Under 10s, Ponteland Middle School 12, Ponteland Reds Under 10, Prudhoe Youth Club Hurricanes Under 9s, Red House Elite, Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, Seaton Delaval Dynamos Belgrade Under 14s, South Shields, Stakeford Juniors Under 12s, Sunderland Fulwell Youth Football Under 18s, Swalwell Swifts Under 10s, Team Gosforth PSV Under 11, Throckley Magpies Under 11, Throckley Magpies Under 7s, Throckley Magpies Under 8s, Throckley Magpies Inter Under 12,