Happy memories of match days came flooding back for an East Renfrewshire couple as they headed to Hampden Park to celebrate 55 years of marriage.

Alastair Paterson, a resident at Newton House Care Home in North Greenlaw Way in Newton Mearns, and his wife Susanne were married in 1969 at Yoker Old Parish Church.

Before moving to Croftfoot and then to Newton Mearns 45 years ago, they spent the first four years of their marriage living in Mount Florida very near to Scotland’s national stadium.

Susanne, 76, told the Glasgow Times: “I remember the crowds walking past on their way to the games and our daughter Gail would peer out of the window as everyone scrambled past.

“Once it got so busy that our little cream Volkswagen Beetle was pushed and pressed against the railings.

“We’re lucky the railings were there or else the Beetle would have ended straight on to the train tracks.”

Susanne met Alastair, 84, when they both worked at Collins the publishers in Glasgow.

After being married in Yoker, the couple went on to have three children together.

Former clerical assistant Susanne said: “I put the success of our marriage down to the fact we are both very similar, we’re down to earth and when we met, we instantly clicked.”

Alastair worked as the manager of the bookbinding department at Collins when they met.

He later became the owner and driver of two Glasgow Hackney Cabs.

He added: “It was lovely to visit the stadium, which is not only a national landmark, but this area has so many happy memories for us.”

Kerry-Anne McDade, wellbeing and lifestyle coach at Newton House said she was thrilled for the couple.

“It’s a real achievement to reach 55 years of marriage and lovely to think that Susanne and Alastair could celebrate it by a visit to Hampden Park which triggered so many wonderful memories,” she added.