FROM Hilton Park to the World Cup. Leigh's former favourite Steve Jones plots England's downfall in the World Cup qualifiers. He talks to MARTYN HINDLEY.

IN the future, Leigh RMI fans will sit down with their grandchildren and tell them about the legend of Steve Jones - the lightning-fast winger sold to Crewe for an eventual £135,000 after two phenomenal years at Hilton Park.

But before he cements his place in folklore, RMI's English following may wish to consider what damage the 'flame-haired demon' does to our nation's chances of making it to Germany for World Cup 2006.

Jones had a vested interest in the Frankfurt draw recently - he's now a fully fledged Northern Ireland international - and will line up against the likes of Beckham, Gerrard and Campbell twice in an attempt to stop Sven Goran Eriksson's men making the finals.

"It's a dream come true", admitted the 26-year-old, who has notched 10 goals for football's other Railwaymen in the First Division so far this season.

"I've always wanted to play against the quality of player like Beckham and to get the chance to do so at Old Trafford in front of 60,000 plus will be amazing. We've drawn Wales as well so the Millennium Stadium won't be bad either!"

Jones is the club's favourite son and few supporters of the side fail to follow his progress.

Having originally struggled to adapt to the pace of the First Division after being drafted to Gresty Road by Dario Gradi, Crewe were relegated and the youngster had to ply his trade in Division Two instead.

"It was heartbreaking to get relegated but it made a better player of me because I was able to develop myself as a player and return to the First Division with plenty of confidence."

How has such a meteoric rise charted itself through trouble-free footballing waters?

Jones was plucked from Chorley by then RMI boss Steve Waywell in the summer of 1999 and his free-scoring attitude as well as electric pace saw him spearhead the challenge for promotion from the Unibond League.

Undeterred by his elevation to the Conference, he bagged over 20 goals the following year - including the strike to sink eventual champions Rushden and Diamonds at Hilton Park.

He can now count Euro 2004 qualifiers against the likes of Greece, Spain and Ukraine among his Northern Ireland caps after his debut as a substitute in the impressive surroundings of Rome's Olympic Stadium against the mighty Italians.

Yet Jones refuses to abandon his roots.

"Leigh was a great club to me and I enjoyed everything about playing football there. It was a surprise when Steve (Waywell) left but I still look out for how they are going on and am pleased when they win.

"I still keep in touch with some of the lads in our championship winning team and I just hope that whatever happens with Crewe and Northern Ireland, I manage to keep my feet on the ground."