THEY met on the steps of the Manor Ground’s London Road terrace and their love for each other and their football team has endured for four decades.

Anita and Steve Hewer, pictured, toasted their 40th wedding anniversary at Oxford United ’s Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

The Hewers, from Kidlington, even got engaged at the club’s old Manor Ground in 1970 and were presented with a bouquet of flowers by then captain Ron Atkinson, inset, with England International George Eastham.

Anita, whose maiden name was Sloper, said after Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Exeter: “Apart from the result it was a brilliant day, but then again we’re United fans so we’re used to ups and downs.

“We first met 45 years ago. My husband started chatting to me and then he asked if I wanted to go to the Swindon away game with him, which became the first of many away games together.”

Nursery nurse Anita, 59, and printer Steve, 60, have two grown-up children, Gary and Emma, with the latter soon to provide the couple’s first grandchild.

Picture: OX54202 David Fleming