THE first couple to get married at AFC Bournemouth 10 years ago returned to Dean Court for a repeat fixture.

Nicola and David Holland held a red and black themed wedding when they said their vows in front of 60 guests in the main stand of the Cherries' stadium on July 21, 2005.

And 10 years later, and with Nicola clad in her original red and black wedding dress, the pair returned to the newly named Vitality Stadium to celebrate their anniversary with their close family.

Nicola, 46, said: "We originally met after a football match 13-and-a-half years ago in the old Malt and Hops pub. I walked in, noticed Dave who had a programme sticking out of his back pocket and said 'Great game tonight' and we just got talking.

"When we decided to get married, the licensing laws had just changed and we were able to get married under an open cover by the side of the pitch.

"We had such a great day that we just thought it would be nice to come back. The weather is great, just like it was 10 years ago, and it's just so special."

And David, 50, added: "I've been following Bournemouth for 25 years and to see the way the club has gone from strength to strength is just wonderful. I've never lost faith and it is just incredible to think we are going to be in the Premier League. We can't wait for the new season to start."

The pair, who have recently opened the Wight Bear Ale House in Southbourne Grove, drove to the Vitality Stadium in a friend's red Ferrari and celebrated their wedding anniversary with an AFC Bournemouth football shirt-shaped cake and red and black balloons. Chairman Jeff Mostyn even popped by their hospitality suite to pass on his congratulations.

Following their lunch at AFC Bournemouth, the celebrations continued at the Wight Bear.