A number were involved during last week’s Northern Masters event in Newcastle and over the coming weeks, plenty more will take to the seven-a-side pitch all over the country.

Leading the charge in Newcastle last Sunday were former Boro skipper Gary Bennett for Sunderland, with Andy Toman and ex-Pickering and Whitby man Lee Nogan turning out for Darlington.

Former Pikes chief Alex Mathie pulled on a Newcastle shirt, while Jamie Hoyland turned out for Carlisle.

One Carlisle player Boro fans will have been keen to see struggle was Jimmy Glass, who scored the goal that pushed the Seasiders from the football league 10 years ago.

Middlesbrough came out on top in the opening event after they beat Newcastle by a 5-0 scoreline in the final.

Craig Hignett netted a treble to boost his top-scoring tally for the tournament to an impressive nine.

The Masters action returns to Sky Sports tomorrow when the Western Masters gets underway.

But the ex-Boro players will not back back in action until next Saturday when the Merseyside Masters is held in Liverpool.

Craig Short will be turning out for Everton, while former Boro player-manager Neil Redfearn will be gracing Wigan’s line-up.

There are likely to be a number of other ex-Seasiders throughout the remainder of the competition, including another former boss in Neil Thompson and striker Darren Roberts.

The grand final of the Masters event takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on Sunday September 9.