MONDAY marks the return of the district‘s biggest football tournament.

The Clayton Charity Cup will kick off this week with six teams battling it out to be crowned top dogs in the Tynedale-only pre-season tournament.

Making up Group A, with all games to be played at Wallington’s Oakford Park, is the Northern Alliance hosts, Ponteland United and Wearside League side Prudhoe Town.

Both Wallington and an ever-improving Prudhoe side will fancy their chances of going all the way.

However, Ponteland have shown in the past they are capable of challenging the top sides.

Tyneside Amateur League outfit Heddon St Andrews will play host to Group B, welcoming Hexham and the newly formed Prudhoe YC Seniors.

Division One side Hexham are currently favourites to progress to the final but the talented youngsters from Prudhoe should never be written off as a successful debut year playing Saturday football is expected.

Hosts Heddon will be sure they’re not just there to make up the numbers, though, and the group will be tightly contested.

To add further excitement, and drama, to the competition, organisers are introducing penalty shootouts after each group game in case teams are tied on points and goal difference.

The winners of the groups will then go forward to contest the the Clayton Cup final at Haydon Bridge on Wednesday, July 29.

The teams which finish bottom have the Stan Jackson Cup to fight for in consolation on Monday, July 27, with the other teams set to play a friendly on the same evening.