The players made a surprise appearance at The Prince's Trust Team Celebration event, handing out certificates to the youngsters who have successfully completed The Prince's Trust Team Programme.

The Team programme, which is delivered in Newcastle by Development Training North East, is a 12-week personal development course designed to provide young people with key work place skills such as confidence, motivation and teamwork. The aim of the project, which is part funded by the Premier League, PFA and the Football Foundation, enables young people to move into employment, education or training.

Newcastle United have been supportive of the leading youth charity for over a decade and have previously won a national award in recognition of their work. Last year the club's charity Newcastle United Foundation ran a Get into Coaching Course for 12 unemployed youngsters, taking on one of the participants at the end of the course as a community coach.

In addition to player appearances, the club also provides facilities, signed merchandise to help with fundraising, free match tickets, use of its Learning Centre and motivational coaching sessions delivered by Newcastle United Foundation staff. This all acts as a major draw for young people thinking about joining the programme.

Judith Stothard, Head of Programmes at The Prince's Trust, said "The Prince's Trust uses sport to engage with some of the hardest to reach young people in the North East. The invaluable support of Newcastle United and Newcastle United Foundation helps us provide quality solutions for disadvantaged young people in the Newcastle area enabling over 75 per cent to move on to work, education or further training within three months of the course."