ONE Saturday morning over a decade ago, when schoolboys from Middlesbrough and Langbaurgh contested an intriguing district match, scouts from across the region flocked to cast an eye over a prolific young centre-forward named Thomas Jones.

Jones had made a name for himself as a 40-goal a season forward on the local scene for respected Teesside Junior Alliance League side Cleveland Juniors, and professional clubs had already begun to cast an eye.

But, although Jones did go on to spend six or so years with Middlesbrough and is currently at Billingham Town in the Northern League, it was another boy who emerged as the star in the making that day. Jonathan Woodgate.

A stroke of luck had Woodgate, a pupil at Nunthorpe Secondary School, being asked to deal with the ability of Jones. And, totally unaware of the presence of scouts, he passed the test with the sort of display that was going to become his trademark.

"Jones was one of the top, top players in the Teesside League," said Ivor Hyndman, the man responsible for turning Woodgate from Sunday league teenager into a Manchester United and Leeds United trialist, and beyond.

"I remember that day I went along to watch that Middlesbrough-Langbaurgh game and Woodgate got the better of him. That was the first glimpse I had of Woodgate and I knew from that moment I had to have him playing for my team Marton."

After a two-month chase, which included numerous phone calls to Woodgate's father, Hyndman landed his man from Nunthorpe Athletic. "When I wanted a player I would not give up until I got him," he said.

The following year Woodgate helped Marton - a club that have a reputation for unearthing teenage talent, including Stewart Downing and Darren Williams - to an unprecedented treble. They won the League, the League Cup and the County Cup and were crowned Teesside Junior Football League's team of the year in 1994.

"Ivor ran a good ship. He was a good manager and a good coach and Woodgate was not the only player to have been picked up that year, although he is the only one to have reached that level. That was a fantastic team," said Keith Sykes, the founder of Marton 23 years ago.

Deployed as a centre-midfielder, alongside captain Lee Fitzgerald, Woodgate developed a competent knack of showing composure on the ball.

Before long he became a central defender with the ability to carry the ball out from defence and that has been his forte ever since - at Leeds United, Newcastle United and with England.

And now, more than a year since swapping the Premiership for La Liga and Real Madrid, Woodgate's long-awaited debut at the Bernabeu has been and gone, albeit in embarrassing fashion. He scored an own goal and was sent off in a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

"It was not the best start in the world," said the 25-year-old, recalling his torrid opening appearance in the Spanish capital a few weeks ago. "But the way the fans cheered me and clapped me as I walked off gave me great heart."

Having been beset with the same thigh injury that has laid him low ever since completing the £13.4m switch from St James' Park, his hard work on the training ground now looks to have been worthwhile.

Many have reservations about whether Woodgate - someone who has tried to keep out of the headlines for the wrong reasons since being found guilty of affray for an attack on an Asian student in January 2000 - has the attitude to steer his career back on track after his injury nightmare.

And, while he was not even considered for England's vital qualifiers with Austria and Poland over the next few days, a World Cup place could be within his grasp next summer if he can recapture his best form before then.

Woodgate is nursing an ankle knock picked up in a Real practise match on Thursday but, in light of Rio Ferdinand's lack of form for club and country, speculation is rife over the Manchester United player's international future.

"The reason why Jonathan spent so long out was because Newcastle tried to rush him back too quickly," said Hyndman, who stays in contact with Woodgate. His son Lee was in Spain to watch that first meaningful game in a Real shirt.

"Real Madrid have done everything correctly and are taking their time to get him right. If he's still half injured they don't risk him.

"That's been a benefit to him. Now, if he can play regularly for Real, he will be in the England team, never mind squad. There's no one better than him when he is fit.

"Having started in midfield with me, that is one of the main reasons why he is so comfortable on the ball. He can take the ball from defence, like Rio does when he is at his best, and that's great when you are a defender. He has a great attitude for the game and that will make sure he comes good after his injury."

Woodgate's career could have taken an altogether different path had United not overlooked him for Wes Brown when he was 15. The Teessider spent two seasons playing for Manchester United after Hyndman had recommended him to Old Trafford.

But Brown, of a similar age but a Mancunian rather than a lad from the North-East, was the main reason why Woodgate was never taken on contractually by United.

Instead Hyndman ensured his young protg was handed a lucrative first contract at Elland Road. But one thing that has bothered the 52-year-old more than anything else: Why Woodgate never signed for the club on his doorstep, Middlesbrough?

"I could never understand why that happened," said Hyndman, now a Sunderland scout who lives in Ingleby Barwick. "Steve Gibson the Boro chairman has always said it was because he would rather have played for Marton than Middlesbrough.

"But that's not really fair because that was his schoolboy team and he had the rest of his career in front of him. Both could have been juggled. But Woodgate has never looked back."

At Leeds, Woodgate was in the youth team during George Graham's tenure and it was the Scot's successor David O'Leary who handed him, Harry Kewell and Ian Harte the chance to shine in the first team.

But the Whites hit financial difficulties and Woodgate's name was tarnished for a while after the court case and he was eventually sold to Newcastle for £9m.

He only made 28 league starts for the Magpies before joining David Beckham at Real Madrid 11 days before last year's transfer deadline. Now all connected with Woodgate are hoping the 25-year-old can make up for lost time in the Spain.

"There is no doubting he is one of the best defenders around," said Hyndman. "He knows how to express himself on the ball. He's an intelligent player who leads with his head up. He tackles clean and he knows when to stand up. I know I'm biased, but there are very few around any better, if any."

From the back streets of Boro to the brilliance of the Bernabeu, Woodgate has finally arrived on the Spanish stage. And, if he can become a success in Iberia, his next stop could be Germany 2006.