A football coach from County Durham got a special surprise from his team when they turned up on his wedding day and formed a guard of honour.
If bride Charlotte Hunter was hoping for a football-free wedding day with her fiancé Connor Herron then his team of young players put paid to that with a special surprise. Coxhoe United Under-14s decided to turn up and form a guard of honour for their much-loved coach and his new wife.
The players lined up at the entrance to Durham's register office, in Aykley Heads, to greet Connor and Charlotte after their wedding ceremony on Friday. The team - and their parents - applauded and cheered as the couple walked out together before the shocked groom high-fived everyone and invited the boys to join him and Charlotte for some photographs.
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Connor, 26, whose team plays in Division 7 of the Russell Foster Youth League, was visibly moved by the gesture. He said: "To see them standing there just put into perspective how much they think of me. Grassroots football already has a place in my heart but this was something else."
Charlotte, 25, added: "I was shocked, I saw Connor getting upset because he saw a reflection in the window of them outside so I started getting a bit scared about what was out there!
"When I walked out it was amazing because I knew how much it meant to Connor, he loves football and the team. For me, it was so nice to have them there as it made the day even more appropriate for us as a couple. Football and cars dominate our time!"
One of the parents involved in orchestrating the surprise, Ian Miller, said: "Connor only formed the team just over a year ago and he's put in so much effort and hard work. This was a great opportunity for the team to show their appreciation for everything he's done. He's a fantastic coach who keeps the kids feeling motivated and positive, and we're all excited to see their progress this season."
Following the ceremony, the smiling newlyweds and their guests headed to a reception held at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, close to where Connor grew up.
The couple, who live at Park Hill, in Coxhoe, are planning a big holiday for their honeymoon next year, meaning that dedicated Connor was straight back on the training pitch with his team on Monday, ahead of the new season which starts in September.
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