GILLINGHAM Football Club chairman Paul Scally has announced that he is to marry his long-term girlfriend Sara Cox.

They plan to marry on Sunday, August 6, in Sevenoaks followed by a reception nearby. Famous faces from the footballing world are expected to attend along with other friends and family.

Mr Scally said: "I’m absolutely delighted. We’re getting married in Sevenoaks and the reception will be held in that area too.

"There’ll be many of our friends from the footballing world attending and many other people."

Mr Scally says he’s not nervous about the big day.

"The plans are coming together well but there’s still a long way to go. I think I’ll be nervous nearer the time," he said.

Long-term close friend and Birmingham City chairman David Gold will be Mr Scally’s best man.

Sara, 31, and Mr Scally are the proud parents of 11-month-old baby girl Eady Beau. But the couple had to overcome the death of their first child Elliot who lost his battle against a heart condition in July 2003.

Since then, they have set up the Elliot Scally Trust to help raise funds for children with serious illnesses.

A large chunk of the money raised will pay for diagnostic equipment and research, while the rest will go to Demelza House children’s hospice, where Elliot was cared for.