A couple who met through their mutual love of the Gills – despite living hundreds of miles away from Priestfield – will celebrate their anniversary at a game on their home turf.

Keith Clark and Dawn Nichols, from Preston, Lancashire, have travelled all over the country to watch their beloved Gills since meeting online in November 2011. Now they will get to see the side play on their doorstep.

Gills take on Preston North End in the second round of the FA Cup today – the first anniversary of the couple’s first date.

Keith, 54, said: “We met on a dating website. I hadn’t done anything like that before. Dawn was the first lady I looked at, she just caught my eye and we started messaging each other.

“I found out that she supported Gills on about the third message. She supports them because she was born in Gillingham. She moved up North about 12 years ago.

“I used to live in Swanley and was taken to my first Gills game when I was 14. I’ve been a fan ever since.”

Keith and Dawn went on their first date just a day after meeting online – and the rest is history. They got engaged in May and are set to get married in September.

The couple are looking forward to celebrating their first anniversary in the stands at Deepdale – the closest Gills have played to their home since they met.

Gills last played Preston in the Championship in April 2005 – a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Keith said: “We are really looking forward to it. I work with a lot of Preston fans so I’ve been getting a bit of stick at work. I work with a few Blackpool fans too and they are rooting for Gills.

“I think it will be a draw. If it is, we would definitely like to come down to Gillingham for the replay.

“After the match, we will be doing something a bit more romantic – I’ll be taking Dawn to the restaurant where we had one of our first dates.”