A former Oxford footballer who once netted nine goals in a game has celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Percy and Mary Blake, who live in Wheatley, have been soul mates since first meeting as teenagers in a Headington park.

They married in St Andrews Church in Headington in 1951 when Mr Blake was 19 and Mrs Blake was 17.

As they left the church, Mr Blake’s team-mates at Headington United – now Oxford United – held football boots filled with confetti above them.

Mr Blake, who was 80 last Tuesday, played for Headington United during the time they turned professional, in 1949.

He later played for Oxford City, Witney Town and Abingdon Town.

Mr Blake never turned professional but counts one of his greatest footballing achievements as scoring nine goals in a single game against Pinner FC.

The couple went into businesses together 35 years ago, setting up Wheatley Estate Agents, which Mrs Blake, 77, still works for.

Mrs Blake said their happiest memories had been Christmasses together with the family.

But she said the hardest time had been last year, when Mr Blake was diagnosed with prostate cancer on the day of their 59th wedding anniversary.

She said: “That was absolutely devastating. As the years go on you get so much closer to each other.”

But Mrs Blake said her husband was now having hormone injections and was responding well, saying: “We are enjoying life a bit more now.”

The couple have four children, Susan, 57, Stephen, 55, Carol, 50, and Samantha, 44, as well as 15 grand children and 11 great grand children.

Mrs Blake said: “We have had a lovely marriage. It has been absolutely wonderful.”

The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary in Egypt earlier this month and, on September 4, will celebrate again with their extended family.

tjennings@oxfordmail.co.uk