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Match of the day for footy lovers

THERE was only ever likely to be one place for soccer-mad Peter Hogan to propose to his girlfriend, Michelle Duncan.

As a lifelong Rochdale fan – and a current steward of the club – it just had to be on the hallowed turf of Spotland.

So, at half-time during Rochdale’s game with Macclesfield on Saturday, Peter led Michelle on to the field of his heroes to pop the question.

She happily accepted and after sealing the happy moment with a kiss in front of more than 2,500 fans the couple are now planning their big day.

Peter, aged 46, of Raneley Grove, Kirkholt, met Michelle while on holiday in Greece and after a whirlwind romance he left Rochdale to go and live with her in Liverpool.

He said: “I knew Michelle was the one for me when I met her. I wanted to propose on the pitch because I’ve been a Rochdale fan for a long time.

“Michelle sort of knew what I was going to do and she got really nervous when we were stood in the tunnel. Then when we were going out a few lads jokingly said they had bets that she was going to say ‘No.’

“I completely froze when I was handed the microphone and very nearly bottled it, but I managed to get the words out. If she had said ‘No’ I would have chased her around Spotland and she would have had to run faster than Grant Holt to get away from me.

“When she said ‘Yes’ the crowd cheered as loudly as they would have if Rochdale had scored a goal.”

The couple are not planning to get married for at least another 18 months, but will honeymoon in Zante, the Greek resort where they met.