By Cameron Wilson
Across the years, football fans and players have found ways to intertwine their love for the sport and love for their partner.
And what better day to explore this than Valentine’s Day!
MAIN STAND JOY
Kicking things off is Paul Sidor – he popped the question to partner Ashleigh Wilson at the final whistle of Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Leicester City in 2016.
25-year-old Ashleigh told the Liverpool Echo:
“He was absolutely sweating about it all day – my mum knew and she was texting him going ‘When are you going to do it?
“I probably should have known when he ordered a whisky at 12 o’clock!”
Sidor wasted absolutely no time at all to ask the all-important question.
Ashleigh said: “The final whistle went and we were standing up and clapping.
“The next minute I turned around and he was on the floor, I thought he was picking up his coat.”
FLYING HIGH
Staying in Merseyside, Everton fan Wayne McCormack came up with a stroke of genius when he decided to take his girlfriend, Bekki, on a helicopter ride.
Wayne, from Ormskirk, flew over Goodison Park where he had organised for the proposal to be spelt out on the pitch.
“I wanted to combine the two biggest loves of my like, Everton and Bekki, and thought what canvas to use than Goodison Park.
“It took me about six months to plan and sort the proposal out – it has been really stressful but I am so delighted she said yes!”
A HISTORIC OCCASION
Not only have football fans been proposed to at stadiums, but they have also been getting married there!
In 2012, Anfield played host to the first civil partnership that Liverpool FC had done.
Fans of the club Sarah McKnight and Christina Walls travelled all the way from America for their big day in which they received a private stadium tour after the ceremony had finished.
Sarah said: “I have supported Liverpool for 13 years and there was never a question – it was always going to be here.
“I am just overwhelmed, overjoyed and excited.”
The social inclusion officer Rishi Jain said: “It’s a big step for the club.
“We have always been proud of the work we do regarding inclusion and diversity, and to have the first civil partnership with such a lovely couple is really good.”
ACROSS THE POND
Football fans aren’t the only ones who have proposed to their other half in a football stadium.
In a stunning act, footballer Hassani Dotson Stephenson proposed to his girlfriend after his match between his team, Minnesota FC versus San Jose Earthquakes.
His fiancé Petra wrote on her Instagram:
“There aren’t words that express anything close to the happiness my heart feels. To be loved by you is a blessing Hassani.
“A HUGE thank you for all of the wishes and to everyone who was involved in helping put this beautiful everlasting memory into my life.”
(Featured image by Erich Ferdinand under creative commons licence)
