As we look forward once again to our seasonal introduction to the world's most famous club knock-out competition, it is worth recalling that this historical and most romantic of sporting spectaculars has its roots planted firmly here in the North East.

The man who came up with the idea of the FA Cup more than 153 years ago was born in Sunderland.

Charles Alcock was secretary of the Football Association and his dream reached fruition with the staging of the first ever FA Cup final on March 17, 1872 at the Kennington Oval which also happened to be the home of Surrey County Cricket Club. Their secretary? Charles Alcock. Oh, and he skippered Wanderers to victory on the field!

A sporting visionary, Alcock also introduced international football to the world while after captaining Middlesex in the first county cricket match of 1867 he organised the first Test match played at The Oval in 1880. Quite a man.

Newcastle became the first North East club to win the newfangled trophy in...