Michael Young has been awarded a testimonial year after recently calling time on a playing career which saw him making more than 200 appearances for Newcastle Falcons.

The Hartlepool-born scrum-half came through the Falcons’ academy and played 201 times for the Kingston Park club, scoring 21 senior tries.

Young tasted international success with England 7s and England Saxons in a career which also saw him starring at club level for Leicester Tigers, Bath, Gloucester and Toulon.

The 35-year-old’s testimonial year will feature events including a football dinner with Alan Shearer, a ‘golf day with a difference’ and a pre-tour dinner featuring some of the greatest British and Irish Lions of all time.

Charities benefiting from the year are My Name’5 Doddie and the Alan Shearer Foundation, both of which have strong connections with the North East sporting community.

Details of events will be announced in due course via www.my9.co.uk or the @MY9Testimonial Instagram account, with the rugby fraternity encouraged to play a full part.

Speaking from Kingston Park, Young said: “It’s great to be back here at a stadium which holds so many positive memories, seeing the lads charging around and having the opportunity to announce what will hopefully be an exciting year.

“I’m honoured to have been awarded a testimonial and to be doing it at a club where I spent 13 seasons, playing with some incredible team-mates.

“The supporters up here always gave amazing backing to the Falcons and to myself during my playing days, and hopefully we can put on some great events which they can get involved with.

“We’ll be confirming dates and details as things progress, but it will be great to see everyone and I’m sure we’ll have some fun with it.”