The North East Football Writers' Association honoured Niall Quinn as their inaugural Personality of the Year at their annual awards dinner on Sunday evening. Journalists, managers, players and club representatives from across the region attended the glittering event at Durham's Ramside Hall. Jimmy Montgomery collected the award on behalf of fellow Sunderland legend Quinn and is pictured with George Caulkin of The Times. All the region's clubs were represented at the dinner, where tributes were made to Gary Speed and Sunderland Echo journalist Ian Laws, who passed away recently at the age of just 41. The event was held in association with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Colin Young of the NEFWA said: "We're really proud of our association with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. "Not only was Sir Bobby a great communicator, he was a man held in esteem by the whole of our region and beyond and that's the essence of our dinner - that local rivalry gets put to one side as we celebrate the best of each other and ourselves. http://www.safc.com/news/20120208/quinn-wins-writers-award_2256213_2603959
SNQ is undoubtedly a 'Personality', in that he is a top bloke. He's also a tireless ambassador for SAFC, Sunderland and the North East as a region. Plus, with his campaign for the World Cup, you could include England too - though I'm maybe being a bit generous there! What's more, you can bet he'd be great to have a pint with
I few years back attended a national radio talk in which was broadcast from the SoL, afterwards all the 'sports personalities' who were present vanished out of the public eye. All except the Mighty Quinn who stayed to share a beer and chat with the audience in the public bar for a good half an hour..
I met him briefly in the Black Cats bar - Brum game I think - he certainly had time for people and was on good form. It would be great to sit him down and ask him some of the questions that have come up from the lads and lasses on here!
