A mural of Arthur Wharton is painted on the gable end of a house in Drury St, Darlington by artist Jay Kaes. Wharton is widely considered to be the first black professional footballer in the world.

Linzi Taylor of Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and Alex Callender of Worcester Warriors Women during the WOMEN'S ALLIANZ PREMIER 15S match between Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and Worcester Warriors at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington.

Newton Aycliffe play Billingham Synthonia in an FA Vase tie at Newton Aycliffe.

Pre season player profile shots with the ladies of Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.

Gavan Holohan of Hartlepool United puts his team 2-1 up during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Aldershot Town at Victoria Park, Hartlepool.

Omari Patrick of Carlisle United celebrates with team mates after putting his team1-0 up during the Sky Bet League 2 match against Southend United at Brunton Park, Carlisle.

Billingham Town players warm up before their F.A. Cup preliminary round match against Northallerton Town.

Thornaby's Harvey Spaxman is bowled by Hartlepool's Paul Braithwaite during the NYSD Premier Division match between Thornaby Cricket Club and Hartlepool Cricket Club at Mandale Bottoms, Thornaby.

A feature on Middlesbrough FC first team coach Leo Percovich for The Northern Echo.

Aden Flint scores for Cardiff City during their F.A. Cup third round replay against Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

Paddy McNair celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot making the score 2-1 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Derby County at the Riverside Stadium.

Omar Holness of Darlington celebrates after putting his team 1-0 up and winning the F.A. Trophy tie against Solihull Moors.

Ben McKenna of Spennymoor Town celebrates after putting his team 2-1 up against Darlington at the Brewery Field, Spennymoor.

Djed Spence of Middlesbrough celebrates after putting his team 1-0 up during the Sky Bet Championship match against Huddersfield Town at the Riverside Stadium.

Joe Craggs of Darlington Mowden Park and Joseph Makin of Hull Ionians during the National Division 1 match between Darlington Mowden Park and Hull Ionians at the Northern Echo Arena.

Lewis Wing of Middlesbrough celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match against Stoke City at the Riverside Stadium.

Callum Irvine of Darlington Mowden Park scores his team's sixth try during the National Division 1 match between Darlington Mowden Park and Birmingham & Moseley at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington.

Ashley Fletcher of Middlesbrough puts his team 1-0 up during the Sky Bet Championship match against Barnsley at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.

A four man boat crew from Yarm School train on the River Tees.

Ralph Appleby of Darlington Mowden Park scores his team's fourth try during the National Division 1 match between Darlington Mowden Park and Old Elthamians at the Darlington Arena.

Tyrone O'Neill of Darlington and Ben Middleton of Boston United during a National League North match at Blackwell Meadows.

Wet conditions for the UCI World Championship men's elite road race as riders cross Middleham Bridge in North Yorkshire.

FC Hartlepool go 1-0 up in their match against Windscale at the Grayfields Enclosure, Hartlepool.

Euan McKirdy of Darlington Mowden Park during the National Division 1 match between Darlington Mowden Park and Rams RFC at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington.

Shaun McCartney of Darlington Mowden Park scores his team's third try during the National Division 1 match between Darlington Mowden Park and Richmond at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington.

Glen Taylor of Spennymoor Town celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Vanarama National League North match between Spennymoor Town and Chester at the Brewery Field, Spennymoor.

Will Hatfield of Darlington is brought down by Nelson Digbeu and Marcus Wood of Bradford Park Avenue resulting in a penalty kick being awarded.

Tackles fly in during an under 23s match between Middlesbrough and Stoke City.

Crew Alexandra players celebrate winning a penalty shootout against Middlesbrough in the League Cup.

Middlesbrough under 23s celebrate a late winner against Aston Villa under 23s on a wet night at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland.

Darlington celebrate after Michael Liddle scores an equalising goal in their 1-1 draw against Gateshead in a National League One match.

Ross Taylor of New Zealand is run out during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match between England and New Zealand at Emirates Riverside, Chester le Street.

Victory celebration during a Catholic Primary Schools' football tournament in Middlesbrough.

Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva celebrate the wicket of Chris Woakes during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match between England and Sri Lanka at Emerald Headingley, Leeds.

The annual school games for children in the Tees Valley takes place at Middlesbrough Sports Village.

Gary Ringrose of Leinster is tackled by Jamie George and Alex Lozowski of Saracens during the European Rugby Champions Cup Final at St. James's Park, Newcastle.

Liverpool's Divock Origi scores the deciding goal in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park.

A hockey event at Maiden Castle, Durham.

A junior national table tennis tournament is held at Bishop Barrington School in Bishop Auckland. Jack Hodgson of the Ormesby TT Club takes on Chris Caygill (pictured) of the Darlington Dolphin TT Club.

Chris McTurk of Darlington Mowden Park is tackled by Sam Cappaert and Nicholas Hankin of Bishop's Stortford during the National Division 1 match between Darlington Mowden Park and Bishops Stortford at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington.