THERE could hardly be a starker contrast. From the home-made goalposts in a County Durham farmer's field, where the only spectators are a few bored-looking sheep, to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in front of 70,000 screaming fans.
That is the journey Mathew Tait will have completed when he runs out for England for tonight's Six Nations opener against Wales.
This time last year, he was playing for his Barnard Castle school team and revising for his A-levels. Tonight he will represent his country, with millions watching on television.
A few days later, Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, brought up on the town's Pallister Park, is due to make his debut for the England football team against Holland at Villa Park.
And, with Durham's Steve Harmison destined to be a star of the England cricket team for years to come, the North-East has every reason to be proud of its home-grown talent.
We wish Mathew Tait well for tonight. And we hope youngsters throughout our sporting-mad region will be watching to see living proof that dreams can come true.
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