A SWINDON Town fan's decision to put true love ahead of the beautiful game has paid dividends.

Mark Bowler and wife Michelle have just been named the perfect match by Town's shirt sponsor, Nationwide.

Their reward is a cheque for £2,000, half of which they will use to sponsor a forthcoming game at the County Ground.

The couple, who live in Chipping Warden, tied the knot on Saturday, August 10, meaning that Mark was deprived of the chance to watch Town's opening game of the season against Barnsley.

While the couple were exchanging vows in an Oxfordshire church, Town's players celebrated the big day with a 3-1 win.

Mark, 38, said: "I have been watching the Town since 1975 and have seen more than 850 games.

"It was probably the biggest dilemma of my life, but I didn't want to lose Michelle!"

However, 34-year-old Michelle is not a football fanatic.

She said: "I don't mind him going to the football but this was one occasion where I really put my foot down."

In spite of the wedding guests wearing black armbands on the day, Mark did have a pleasant surprise when his nephew, who just happens to be Town's official mascot, appeared at the service in his Rockin' Robin costume.

Mark said: "That brought the house down.

"I'd said a Swindon Town celebrity would be attending but I think people were thinking along the lines of Danny Invincible."

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