Soccer: Columbine victim is guest at Newcastle United

An teenager who was shot during the Columbine High School massacre is to be guest of honour at a top Premier League football match.

Newcastle United fan Mark Kintgen will be at St James's Park to watch his heroes take on Middlesbrough almost two years after 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 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 before taking 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."