PA story Saturday AM:

A US teenager who was shot during the Columbine High School massacre will be guest of honour at a top Premier League football match today.

Newcastle United fan Mark Kintgen will be at St James's Park to watch his heroes take on Middlesbrough almost two years after surviving the mass shooting at his Colorado school in which 13 pupils were killed in April 1999.

Mark, 19, who follows English football via pay-per-view TV and the Internet, was invited to attend the game when he met Newcastle manager Bobby Robson last year in Washington during a club tour of the US.

Mr Robson said he was so impressed with the teenager he wanted him to be guest of honour and invited his parents Dale and Kay along too. The manager said: "We cannot possibly begin to imagine just what Mark has gone through in the last two years.

"When I met him at the start of this season in Washington I was made to feel so humble by the attitude and behaviour of such a brave lad. "We are absolutely delighted Mark and his parents have been able to join us in Newcastle these past few days and I hope he has plenty to cheer about this afternoon."

Computing student Mark, of Littleton, near Denver, watched the team train this week and will have his photograph taken on the pitch with Mr Robson before the match, then take his place in the stands for this afternoon's match.

Mark said: "It is a dream come true for me. I have enjoyed every minute of my stay in Newcastle and would like to thank everybody from Newcastle United, but especially Mr Robson for inviting us here and looking after us so well."

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Answers

...and Bobby is booked as a guest on BBC 1's On Side with John Inverdale, 10.35pm a week on Monday - March 26th. Other guests are due to include a certain gentleman by the name of Brian Clough.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Great story Benton. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Let's hpoe the lads do him proud!

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

cheers ian...

be grateful if someone could give us a run down of the banter with Cloughie, not being within receiving range - i bet that'll be a cracker!

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Great story!

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001