The 2007 Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy raised a massive £250,000 for the charity enabling us to continue supporting young people in the North East.

The Challenge Trophy was a series of high profile sporting events staged at prestigious sports arenas across the North East. A unique and exciting season of events which brought together an unprecedented number of the most famous sports personalities and celebrities to form two competing teams, who battled for the trophy.

5 July 2007
Celebrity Amateur Golf Tournament
Held at Slaley Hall in Northumberland the Golf day saw the likes of Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Peter Beardsley, Paul Bracewell, John Beresford, Matthew Burke and Steve Harmison teeing off for their respective teams. The Duke of Northumberland’s team triumphed on the day with a 10½ - 4 ½ victory.

2 September 2007
All Star Twenty20 Cricket Match
Durham County Cricket Club players Steve and Ben Harmison, Neil Killeen, Phil Mustard, Graham Onions and Liam Plunkett played on the day alongside Newcastle legend Peter Beardsley, boxer Glenn McCrory, Newcastle Falcons’ James Grindal and Tom May, ex Sunderland AFC legends Richard Ord and Kevin Ball. The Earl of Durham’s Team edged the victory over The Duke of Northumberland’s Team on home turf at The Riverside Ground.

24 September 2007
Celebrity Amateur Clay Shoot
Celebrities and corporate guests gathered at Mitford Estate in Northumberland for an exclusive day shooting on one of the finest estates in the region. The Earl of Durham’s team triumphed at the shoot winning their second event trophy in a row and leaving them one up in the series for the final match..

14 October 2007
All Star Football Match
The final event of The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy was staged at St James’ Park bringing with it the playing return of the Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand. Intense media speculation surrounded the launch on the 5th of September when big names were confirmed including Alan Shearer as player manager and Peter Beardsley as scout for the Duke’s Team opposite Sir Jack Charlton as manager and Kevin Ball as scout for the Earl of Durham’s Team. The teams comprised some of the regions best loved football heroes.

The thrilling climax saw Shearer score a hat-trick on his return to St James’, and the Duke of Northumberland’s team finish with a 5-3 win bringing the Challenge Trophy series to an overall draw. The Earl of Durham’s team took the overall victory after a tense penalty shoot out which went into sudden death.

We would like to thank everyone who supported The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy in 2007 including all the supporters that attended the public events and the paying guests who bought teams at the corporate events.

We would also like to specifically thank all of our 2007 sponsors without whom the events wouldn’t have happened. They are: Esh Group, Stratstone, Northern Rock, Dickinson Dees, Reed Print and Design and NEMS Document Management, Kit sponsors JJB Sports, Media partners ITV Tyne Tees, Emap, and NCJ Media. The support of these organisations shows their commitment to supporting local causes and communities right here in the region.