Saltburn-born Mowbray is inextricably linked to both Middlesbrough and Sunderland, but the honour has been awarded for the "fortitude, quiet dignity and passion for the game set him apart as a man who transcends traditional football rivalries".
The former Middlesbrough skipper, who also managed at Hibernian, West Bromwich Albion, Celtic, Coventry, Blackburn and Birmingham, will be recognised at the 46th North East Football Writers’ Association’s awards night in Durham this Sunday.
Mowbray says: “I’m so honoured to receive this special award and so proud to have been moulded in the North East and brought up with the values that people of this part of the world bring to supporting their football club.
“I first experienced Ayresome Park as a seven-year old with my dad, smelling the Bovril and watching Jack Charlton’s amazing team of the mid 70’s.
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“St. James’ Park was where I made my league debut in 1982 against Kevin Keegan and Mick Channon up front for Newcastle and, of course, I had an amazing experience managing Sunderland at The Stadium of Light, feeling the warmth and incredible support that the supporters gave the team and indeed myself.
“I feel very lucky to have experienced the huge passion and emotion football brings in our part of the world, not just in the stadiums, but in our communities, too.”
Recognising someone who uses their position in football to benefit the wider community, last year the Personality of the Year Award was given to Newcastle United defender, Dan Burn.
Colin Young, secretary of the North East Football Writers’ Association, said: “Tony was an extremely popular choice for this award. He’s a man from and for the North East, and someone we can all be proud of.
“Whether he’s speaking passionately about the game, supporting community initiatives and charities, or showing immense courage in facing his own health issues, he conducts himself with an honesty and humility that inspires us all.”
The North East Football Writers' Association Awards night, sponsored by H. Malone and Sons as part of their centenary celebrations, celebrates the best of North East football and is held annually at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham.
This year’s event will, once again, raise funds for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which is part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
All the money raised will go towards construction of the £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute, a world-leading cancer trials hub for the region at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.
With over £20 m raised so far thanks to the generosity of Sir Bobby Robson Foundation supporters, support is now crucial to raise the final funds to complete and fully equip The Sir Bobby Robson Institute by 2027.