A DARLINGTON man will be the envy of every football fan in the country when he steps out at Wembley on Sunday to play in the final match at the famous stadium.

Chris Hutchon's dream came true after he entered a competition organised by FA Cup sponsors AXA and the Daily Mail. The 22-year-old centre forward is one of 22 players and three officials from all over the country who have won the chance to take part in the historic match.

The teams will be managed by England's World Cup winners Sir Geoff Hurst and Nobby Stiles.

Chris, who recently started work experience with a bio-technology company in Dublin, was amazed when he received a call on his mobile phone to tell him he had won.

He said: "I couldn't believe it. I was walking home and just started shouting in the middle of the street. I was desperate to tell someone."

The former pupil of Hurworth House school and Yarm Preparatory school played rugby at school, but at St Andrews University, where he gained a degree in marine biology, he played for the university's Sunday league team.

Chris told the D&S Times: "It will be fantastic to meet Nobby Stiles and Geoff Hurst, walk out of the tunnel and go up the steps to the royal box after the match to get a medal."