Earlyface

They may be on opposite sides of Manchester’s great footballing rivalry, but for golden couple Ann and Martin Devaney it has helped get them to 50 years of wedded bliss.

Ann and Martin, from Bramhall, found they had the perfect match 50 years ago.

Now Red Martin, 71, and Blue Ann, 70, are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today, the same day their teams go head to head.

Despite their opposing allegiances, Martin and Ann, who in their youth were accomplished football and hockey players respectively, say their shared passion for sport has actually helped them sustain a long and happy marriage.

Ann said: “Back in those days there wasn’t the same rivalry, it wasn’t quite the same as it is now - you’d actually go to both matches.” It was Ann’s interest in a City player that inadvertently helped her meet her future husband.

In the early 1960s, City players didn’t get paid during the off-season and would often take on other jobs. Ann had a crush on striker Neil Young and visited Platt Fields Park, where she knew he would be working as a gardener, hoping to see him.

But Martin had also gone to the park that day, and the couple crossed paths and soon became an item.

They went on to marry at Holy Innocents Church in Fallowfield on Saturday, September 10, 1966 when Martin was 21 and Ann 20.

On their wedding day, United lost 2-1 at Spurs, with Denis Law scoring the only goal, while City drew 1-1 with Arsenal at Maine Road, thanks to a Glyn Pardoe goal.

Ann, a retired nurse, and Martin, a retired engineer, went on to live in Didsbury for several years before moving to Bramhall and have lived there ever since.

And their footballing rivalry has been passed down the generations. The couple’s son Stephen and his family support United, while daughter Pauline and her family are all ardent City fans. Season ticket holder Martin will attend the game at Old Trafford, before the couple reunite to celebrate their anniversary with family.

Martin said: “It’s going to be a bit difficult on Saturday, but fortunately, kick off is early.”

source : manchesterunitedeve ningnews