Perfect match as couple get engaged on day Hartlepool United promoted back to the Football League

Russ Hoggart and partner Lisa Green agreed to tie the knot outside Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol on Sunday where they watched Hartlepool United win promotion back to the Football League in one of the club’s most dramatic matches ever.

Russ, 50, said he decided to do it because of how proud he is at how Lisa deals with her health conditions including epilepsy.

He said: “Before the match Lisa had a seizure first thing in the morning outside the hotel.

"As we were going to the match I said I was that proud of her and said ‘I would love to marry you’.

"It just felt the time was right.”

Lisa, 47, whose first live football game it was, had no hesitation in accepting saying: “I said ‘I will’. It made it an even better exciting day.”

The couple, of West View, hit it off after getting together just six months ago.

Russ praised the hotel and stewards at the ground for their help.

He said he will soon be buying Lisa an engagement ring to make it official though they have not set a date for the wedding yet.

After deciding to tie the knot, more joy was to follow for the couple as they were among 3,100 lucky Hartlepool fans to be at the game.

They were just yards from the pitch and joined in the celebrations as Pools secured promotion after sudden death penalties.

Russ said: “It’s the best match I’ve ever been to. To actually get back into the Football League after four years.

“I’ve already got my season card for next season. It was fantastic.”

While Lisa loves watching football on TV, she had never been to a game as she is not comfortable being in big crowds.

But she said: “The atmosphere was just electric. I can’t describe it.

"When the goals were going in and being missed a lot of fans looked like they needed oxygen masks because the colour just drained out of them.

"Afterwards I gave Russell a big kiss and said ‘thank you for bringing me down. You are actually turning me into a Poolie’.”

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