SPORTING Atherton couple Harold and Minnie Charlson shrugged off the years on Saturday to cheer on Bolton Wanderers in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Satisfied with the Wanderers 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers Harold, 81 and Minnie, 82, left the Reebok Stadium then embarked on their own celebrations -- for their 60th wedding anniversary.

They enjoyed a diamond weekend hotel break in Clitheroe then returned to Atherton for Monday's anniversary celebrations to commemorate their wartime wedding on February 19 1941.

Harold got leave from his Army role as a bombardier in the Royal Artillery for their marriage at St Michael's and All Angels' Church, Howe Bridge by the Rev K Prosser.

"We were happy that Bolton drew," Mrs Charlson said afterwards, "but it would have been better if they had won."

Born in Lovers Lane, Howe Bridge, happy Wanderer Minnie looked back on their sporting lifetime.

For her 80th birthday the loyal Whites fans went on a tour of the stadium and met Wanderers' legend Nat Lofthouse.

And Minnie confided: "I still think they could have done Burnden Park up -- it doesn't seem the same now, it's not Bolton."

As well as being soccer followers they are big cricket fans and cheer on their local team -- and grandson David -- at Atherton CC.

Mrs Charlson has watched Atherton since the war years and she and Harold, a former Howe Bridge Mills tennis player, have started a family tradition.

Son John, married with a son, David, and a daughter, Gwen, was a first teamer at Atherton and has been secretary of the club for 40 years but his connection goes back a bit further.

"He first went to the Atherton ground when he was about 14 days old," revealed Minnie, who before they married worked at Carrington Mill (now Bentwoods) on Leigh Road at Atherleigh. From around 1950 to the mid 60s she worked as a meals assistant at Chowbent School.

Nowadays the Charlsons cheer on grandson David who is a first team all-rounder with Atherton CC.