A pair of newlyweds added some premier sparkle to their special day when they had a chance encounter with some of the world’s top footballers.

Gavin Walsh and his new bride Michelle were celebrating their nuptials with a reception at Telford Golf and Spa Hotel when they spotted Arsenal players sharing the same hotel ahead of their Saturday evening clash with Wolves.

The football-mad couple approached the players as they boarded the coach to the Molineux, managing to get pictures with some of the top stars, including boss Arsene Wenger and Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Delighted Gavin, who is originally from Broseley in Shropshire, said today: “It was just like a little bonus on top of an absolutely brilliant day. We had just got married at St Mary’s Church in Madeley and headed back to Telford Hotel and Spa for our reception.

“We were just down in the lobby having a few pictures taken and we noticed the Arsenal team was leaving at the same time.

“We had all our wedding kit on and obviously, Michelle had her dress on, so the players kind of let us in to meet them. We shook the lads’ hands and had a few pictures taken with some of them.”

The 32-year-old supermarket manager lives in Ireland with Irish-born Michelle, 28 and despite being an ardent Aston Villa fan, Gavin said the photos would give the couple an extra special memento to look back on in years to come.