NERVES were running high for a couple of diehard York City fans who tied the knot on Saturday - the day of their club's crunch match at Rochdale.
For City fans Mark Dalby and Wendy Wootton Saturday (April 25) was always going to be a day to celebrate, but when they originally planned their wedding they hadn’t banked on their special day coinciding with the most significant day in York City’s season.
The couple, who live in St Helen’s Road in Dringhouses, were getting dressed for their wedding as their team were warming up for their crunch tie against Rochdale, a match that would see York promoted back to the football league if they won or held out for a draw.
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The groom arrived for the service at St Edward the Confessor Church in Dringhouses as the match kicked off, and best man, Wendy's brother, David Cussons, was primed to keep an eye on the score.
When they planned their wedding, they had expected a 3pm kick off and not Saturday's 12.30pm match start time, so they had expected their wedding to be over before the game had started.
But what actually happened on the day was, as 1pm ticked by Wendy walked down the aisle looking absolutely beautiful with the score still a nil-nil. The congregation then joined in with the hymn All things Bright and Beautiful and pledged to support Wendy and Mark ‘now and in the years ahead’.
In the end the Minstermen ended a decade-long stay in non-league football when a 103rd minute goal from Josh Stones won York the title, following a best-ever season for the football club.
When Rochdale scored – the newly-wed Mr and Mrs Dalby were in the wedding car on the way to the reception venue at York Sports Club.
When York scored they were just arriving at the venue where they were met by friends Ruth and Emma Reynolds who are City season ticket holders and were dancing in the car park before the party got underway.
Rev Canon Richard Carew who took the service said: "For Mark and Wendy it was an emotional recognition of all that they have shared in their relationship so far, and a promise to continue to treasure that into their future.
"And as we came to the blessing of the marriage, as Wendy and Mark knelt to be prayed for, the eagle-eyed in the congregation will have spotted a message on their shoes- ‘We are also praying York City to win’.
"Those prayers were sorely tested as Rochdale scored in extra time to break the hearts of York fans, but then when York equalised the party really could begin, with the Reception turning into a double celebration.
"Two great matches – two great results.
"A day that Mark and Wendy and all those who celebrated with them will remember for the rest of their lives.
"Congratulations to both of them - and Come on City!"
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