Their marriage has its roots firmly on the football pitch and now tops the league when it comes to longevity.

Bett and Brian Hillyer are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today (Thursday) having met when Bett went to cheer on her brother, Berry, a player for Gravesend team, Dashwood Athletic.

But it was goalkeeper Brian who caught Bett’s eye, and the couple went on to net a marriage lasting 60 years.

“My brother said to me one day, ‘Why don’t you come and stand on the line because we could do with some cheering,” explained Bett.

“I used to be there shouting at Brian, ‘For God’s sake, don’t let that ball in’.”

In fact, Bett is now one of three passions in Brian’s life, the others being his lifelong connection to the Salvation Army and his enduring support for Arsenal.

“I think it’s the army, football and then me,” joked Bett.

The couple were both born and bred in Gravesend, with Bett’s family, the Pilchers, living in Austin Road, and Brian’s in Old Road West.

After a three-year courtship they married on March 31, 1956, at St James’s Church in New Road, Gravesend, on a freezing cold Easter Saturday.

“A girl I knew from school made my dress and three bridesmaids dresses for just over £7,” said Bett.

Their first home was in Bath Street, Gravesend. Bett, now 82, worked in the typing pool at local tyre and cable firm, Henley’s, while Brian, now 86, made car parts for Ford Motor Company at its site at Woolwich Arsenal.

The couple had their first daughter, Karen, in 1962, followed by Alison in 1970. Having moved from Bath Street to Campbell Road, Gravesend, the family then moved to Coulton Avenue in Northfleet, where they lived for 22 years.

While she gave up full-time work to raise their children, Brian continued at Ford for 11 years before moving into the insurance business until his retirement at 65.

He is still an active member of the Gravesend Salvation Army branch and this year marks 71 years as a senior bandsman, with 40 of them as bandmaster.

He is so busy in the community that Bett believes it is the secret to their lasting marriage. “I never see him,” she said.

The couple fondly recall one event in particular when Brian’s dedication to the Salvation Army took him on a lunch date with royalty.

“I was nominated by Gravesham council to go,” said Brian.

“When he got his invitation I was practising my curtsey for a week,” said Bett. “Then he told me it was just for him.”

They were not the only ones in their family who fell in love thanks to Dashwood Athletic.

Bett’s brother met Brian’s sister, Maureen, through the team– they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2014.

The couples later became neighbours in Trafalgar Road, Gravesend. Another resident is Brian and Maureen’s brother, Ken.

Family is very important to Bett and Brian and they will be celebrating their special day with a party on Saturday

Despite having their own interests, there is one thing the couple are united on – their grandchildren, Joe, 22, and 16-year-old Jordan.

“As we have got older our grandchildren have become our life,” said Bett.