A SPORTS MAD couple who met in a village pub returned to the same watering hole to celebrate 60 years of marriage.

Tony and Lilian Vincent first clapped eyes on each other at The George, in Vernham Dean, and instantly bonded over their shared love of sports.

And the happy couple, who have lived in their Dean Terrace home for their entire marriage, returned to their local on Thursday, 12 June to celebrate the milestone with friends and family.

Mrs Vincent, whose maiden name was Stroud, said: “I couldn’t have wished to come into a kinder family, I don’t think we have ever had a wrong word. I have a wonderful man. He does nearly everything for me as I have had a stroke.”

Mrs Vincent, aged 88, was visiting Vernham Dean from her home in Axford, near Marlborough, when she first met Mr Vincent, who has lived in Vernham Dean his whole life.

While courting, gamekeeper Mr Vincent, now aged 82, would cycle 14 miles to see his future wife.

Mr Vincent said: “We were both mad on sport. She is a Swindon Town supporter and I was a Portsmouth supporter and I still am.”

The couple have a son Christopher, aged 58, who lives in Whitchurch. They have three step-grandchildren and four step-greatgrandchildren.

When asked about the secret to a long marriage, Mr Vincent said: “The honest truth is I manage outside and the wife manages inside – it’s as simple as that.

“We don’t have a lot of arguments about sport, but we never fall out over anything else.”