John & Diane Cole's story

One December day in 1991 ...

Diane and I, who share a passion for United, had known each other for about two years. I knew the time was right to propose to Diane, and there was only one place I wanted to do it.

I contacted John Holmes during the week leading up to the Watford game on 29 December 1991. John asked me to make myself known to him on the day, and he would allow us to go down to the pitch at half-time. Diane had no idea what was being arranged.

Half-time came and the announcer asked us to 

Above, compliments slip allowing John and Diane access to the pitch. Right, page from a programme shows the wedding photo

go down on to the pitch. Diane asked: ‘What have you done?’ We were led out to the halfway line, and as I started to propose the Main Stand started singing, 'get down on one knee’. Happily, Diane said yes. As we walked back to the Newmarket Road End, the fans started to sing, 'you're going to score in a minute’.

We were married in October 1993 and our wedding photo appeared in the programme for the game against Fulham on Monday, 3 January 1994. I’m pleased to say we are still happily married and continue to follow the mighty U’s.