City fans enjoy perfect match

By cwarbrook

It was a match made in football heaven when Stoke City fans Paul and Carolyn Ruane, of Edgbaston Drive, Trentham, fell in love. Paul, a 47-year-old IT worker, and Carolyn, a 42-year-old insurance claims consultant, tell Colette Warbrook how their devotion to the Potters brought them together.

How did you first meet?

Carolyn: Probably at Euston Station in the mid-90s. We were both living down south, season ticket holders for Stoke City and members of the team's Southern Supporters' Club, which met at the station before games. I'd been in the group for longer than Paul.

Paul: Either at Euston Station or on a train from Euston to Stoke. I was born in Hanley but living in Hertfordshire at the time, while Carolyn was born in Biddulph and living in Middlesex.

What was your first impression?

Carolyn: I found Paul to be a kind person, but the attraction probably came later. The good thing was we knew each other before we went out together, so we didn't have to put on any airs and graces.

Paul: We were friends for quite a long time before we gradually decided we had more in common. I was attracted to the fact Carolyn was a Staffordshire lass and she was fun to be with, as well as obviously being a Stoke supporter like myself.

When did you get engaged?

Carolyn: Paul proposed after a dinner in London with the Provincial Supporters' Club, which is for people who live in London but support clubs outside the capital. I think because it was a leap year, Paul assumed I was going to ask him, so he decided to get in there first, and I said 'yes' in half a nanosecond.

Paul: February 25, 2000. We'd been to a football dinner and it was a leap year. She said, 'When are you going to ask me a question?' And she was talking about proposing, so I asked and she replied, 'Yes, please'.

What was your wedding day like?

Carolyn: We got married at Biddulph Methodist Church. My father, Alan Jones, used to go there. Unfortunately, both my dad and Paul's dad had died. At the reception, Stoke's mascot Pottermus greeted us and there was a red and white theme. My mum, Una, designed my dress so the bodice had the Stoke colours, and the cake had Pottermus on it.

Paul: We got married in June 2001 and the reception was at the Britannia Stadium. We hired Pottermus and he sat at the top table. Then, during the first dance, he walked on to the dancefloor and gave me a red card.

How long have you supported Stoke?

Carolyn: I've only ever supported Stoke.

Paul: I followed them as a boy, but not that closely. My family wasn't into football, but when I moved away I started to follow the team's progress from a distance.

How did you feel when the Potters beat Hull City and secured survival in the top flight?

Carolyn: I'm pleased for the area because we need more positive things to be happening for Stoke-on-Trent and having a Premier League team helps. I predicted we'd finish the season in 11th place in the table, and I think Paul said 14th. We eventually finished in 12th.

Paul: I'm not one for showing my feelings. However, I can say I was very pleased.

Has football brought you closer together?

Carolyn: If it wasn't for Stoke, I probably wouldn't have met Paul. And it's good we can go to games together.

Paul: It brought us together and has probably brought us closer together, too.

What are your spouse's best qualities?

Carolyn: His kindness and understanding. I have quite severe arthritis and Paul is supportive regarding that.

Paul: She makes me happy.

Do you ever fall out?

Carolyn: We haven't yet.We have so much respect for each other and appreciate the other's point of view.

Paul: We disagree on the score predictions for games, but we don't fall out. Carolyn always thinks Stoke are going to win by more goals than I do.

Has a shared interest or hobby brought you and your partner closer together? Write to Sentinelle, including a full name, telephone number and address, at Features Desk, The Sentinel, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5SS, or email featuresdesk@thesentinel.co.uk