Behind the success stories of prodigious footballing talents such as Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott lie the industrious efforts of thousands of young footballers seeking to climb the professional ladder. Though the level of public exposure for their achievements couldn't be more different, they all share the same passion and thrill for the sport. Never has that been the case more than here in Newtown.

Craig Williams, promoted from Newtown Football Club's academy to the senior team, has had a terrific debut season in the Welsh Premier. At only 18 years of age, he is already the Robins' first-choice right-back, and has been one of the league's most consistent performers. He was, in November 2005, the league's youngest ever player to be voted 'Player of the Month'.

Last summer, Craig entered the 'Football Icon' competition, a self-titled "football talent search". The initiative was supported by Premiership leaders Chelsea, and Craig was among thousands of youngsters hoping to win the prize of a professional contract with the Blues.

On the programme's national roadshow, where agility, persistence, and skill were showcased in equal measure, Craig was one of the highest-scoring participants. He impressed ex-professionals Ray Wilkins and Eddie Newton with a subtle combination of blinding acceleration and adroit skill, and - as a result - was selected to be one of the final 12 hopefuls (from an original total of over 5000) and to enter Chelsea's football academy. From there, the Chelsea management staff - including first-team manager Jose Mourinho - were charged with selecting one player to join the club's academy on a permanent basis.

During the summer, Craig - along with the other eleven trainees - were based at Chelsea's state-of-the-art training centre at Cobham, and trained intensively every day in a fashion that resembled that of the senior team.

"Cobham is the best training ground in the world, bar none. It's mind boggling," commented Ray Wilkins, who mentored the youngsters during the experience. "In 'Football Icon', determination was essential: living together and training together was not easy."

Eddie Newton, also speaking to the 'Football Icon' website, added: "At the academy we've done all the stuff the first team do. The players have to digest all the things we do. "Some of the players are not used to day-to-day training, and can get tired."

"The training was tough," Craig admitted on the 'Football Icon' website. "At my club we train just once a week."

Craig spent several weeks away from home during the 'Football Icon' training sessions, and was given exclusive access to the inner workings of a Premiership side. As well as working alongside the tactically adept Mr Mourinho and Frank Arnesen, the club's sporting director, Craig participated in matches against professional youth sides such as Brighton and Hove Albion, and even against a Northern Ireland XI.

He finished the show in a respectable position within the top five.

He may be playing against Aberystwyth instead of Arsenal, and Llanelli instead of Liverpool, but the memories will last a lifetime, and Craig has repeatedly stated that he uses all the tricks and techniques he learned whilst at Chelsea to improve his performances for Newtown AFC.

When asked whose football career he wishes to emulate, Craig replied: "Steven Gerrard. Liverpool are my team, and he came up the ranks to be captain."

Respected and admired by team-mates and peers alike, Craig's rapidly evolving potential is promising mercurial sporting success in years to come. Watch the back pages closely: a new star may be about to emerge.

Written by Matthew Walters from Newtown High School