Middlesbrough defender David Wheater has been named the 2008 North East Footballer of the year by the Football Writers' Association, and also claimed the young player prize. Boro chief Gareth Southgate said: "It is fantastic news and thoroughly deserved. I am delighted for David and it is a great reflection on the club.

"It's been a remarkable year for him in that the year before, he was on loan at Darlington.

"People say there's no talent in the lower divisions, but the step up is possible if you have the ability.

"I think that year taught him. He grew as a person in that year and realised he had to - in a professional sense - improve on certain things.

"He had to be more disciplined in his training, in his diet - that type of thing."

Southgate added: "He's still learning the game, but he's fabulous to work with, his enthusiasm for football is there and he's untarnished by any level of cynicism.

"He's wholehearted in the way he plays every game. He sees every opponent as a challenge at the moment, rather than someone to be feared.

"It's great to watch that innocent rise, if you like, that players have when they first get into a team.

"He's a great credit to his family. Having met his father and grandfather, who are both big influences on him, they should be proud of the way they have raised him. I'm sure they are proud of the way he's played over the last 16 months or so and of the award."