Ref. 76039-91VALENTINE fever reached the hallowed turf of Swindon Town's County Ground when a Swindon Town fan was asked a very important question.

At half-time during Saturday's match, Barnsley supporter Richard Bladon proposed to Tracy Stather, and although it was a total surprise she didn't need to think twice before saying yes.

Tracy, 29, is a life-long Swindon Town fan now living in Barnsley.

She said: "I didn't know he'd been arranging this with Swindon Town all week.

"He told me 'You'll never believe this. Because we're from Barnsley they want us to go on the pitch.'

"I just fell for it. I didn't have a clue what we were doing. I thought we had to make a draw or something.

"Then this bloke gave Richard the microphone and he asked me to marry him

"I was a bit shocked but I said 'yes' straightaway. He's brilliant. It's definitely love.

"It was so romantic. And before the match he asked my mum if he could ask for my hand in marriage."

Tracy, originally from Marlborough, has two children, Joshua, six, and Rebecca, four. Richard, 26, and Tracy are expecting their first child together on April Fools' Day.

Their eyes met across the loaves at the Barnsley bakery where they both work.

Tracy is a lifelong Swindon Town fan. She said: "I used to go to all the matches when I lived in Swindon.

"I moved up to Barnsley ten years ago, but my family still live in Marlborough so I visit regularly."

As Tracy is seven months pregnant she ended up sporting a Barnsley shirt at the match.

"I was wearing Richard's Barnsley shirt because I haven't got many clothes that fit me. I wanted Swindon to win but I was wearing a Barnsley shirt."

Richard said: "I felt very nervous but it all went well and the people at Swindon Town did me proud. I'd like to thank them for that."

David Andrew