Partick Thistle host the perfect match

Nov 20 2008 By Fraser Wilson

AS far as weddings go this one was certainly a match made in heaven - football heaven.

Partick Thistle-daft Fraser Walker and his bride Gill Forbes made history by becoming the first couple to enter into match-rimony in the centre circle at Thistle's Firhill Stadium on Saturday.

The service, conducted by former Thistle club chaplain Mark Fleming, kicked-off at 3pm.

And when the final whistle blew on the ceremony 10 minutes later the happy couple toasted their marriage with a celebration in the Firhill boardroom.

Fraser, 55, who has supported the Jags since he was a boy, pulled off an incredible result when he managed to talk Gill, who has no interest in football, into the Firhill wedding. The police officer, from Pollok, said: "The day was absolutely superb, more than I had wished for. The weather was the only unpredictable - a bit like Partick Thistle - but even it behaved for us.

"I only proposed six weeks ago when we were on holiday in Crete and I suppose I was a bit surprised that Gill agreed to the stadium idea. Thankfully she didn't have much time to change her mind.

"But her dad Morris and brother Greig are huge Thistle fans so I think she was quite happy to go ahead with it.

"Gill looked fantastic and, as the chaplain said, it was the best match he had seen at Firhill in a long time."

Gill, 46, and from Knightswood, added: "It had to be at Firhill because that's Fraser's spiritual home. But I'll soon be reminding him that he owes me big time.

"It was a very special day and one we won't ever forget.

We kept it quiet from everyone apart from 10 invited guests and it was just a lovely quiet ceremony.

"We also made a bit of history as the first couple ever to tie the knot on the pitch at Firhill so that was nice."

The couple are now looking forward to their honeymoon - although that has been put back until the end of the football season, of course. But they won't be forgetting their special day at Firhill for a while.

Keeping to the old adage, the wedding was conducted in something old, Firhill, but the concept was certainly new, the bride had something borrowed - her Thistle scarf - and thankfully the sky stayed blue.