IT WAS a surprise proposal in front of thousands of fans – and thankfully, she said yes.
Bernard Stottelaar, 32, popped the question to Carol Robertson, also 32, during half-time at the Hull KR v Huddersfield match.
The couple first met at the club, where they both worked, five years ago.
Bernard, of east Hull, explained the reasons behind proposing at Craven Park.
He said: "I had been waiting to propose to Carol for quite a while and wasn't sure how to do it.
"I needed to think of something special – I wanted to show Carol how much I loved her in front of a lot of people.
"Carol and I met working at Rovers, so this seemed perfect."
Bernard said careful planning was behind the surprise proposal.
He said: "The problem was how to get Carol and me on the pitch.
"The club were absolutely brilliant – we decided I'd take part in the fans' competition, and Carol was asked to take part in a draw.
"I had a ring in a little white box and walked up to her and asked her to marry me.
"I could see her lips moving but I couldn't really hear her.
"I could see that she said yes."
Carol, who works in the Rovers club shop, said the proposal took her completely by surprise.
She said: "It was unbelievable – even when the commentator passed the mic to Bernard, I didn't twig straight away – then he started walking towards me.
"I don't understand how I didn't see it coming.
"It was a lovely way to be proposed to and I will always remember it."
The pair started laughing when fans at the match, who had first reacted to the proposal with applause, began a chant of "you don't know what you're doing."
Bernard said: "I thought it was really sweet of them."
The South African, who has lived in England for seven years and now works as a sales executive, described first meeting his future wife.
He said: "I started work at Rovers on the Monday and it all happened really quickly.
"Carol works on Thursdays and the other staff were saying how nice she was and hoping we would get together.
"Then on Saturday we had a little peck on the cheek.
"We have been together ever since."
Bernard and Carol are planning to get married in six months' time.
They will be joined at the wedding by son Garrett, two, and Carol's children Corbin, eight, and Shannon, 13.
Carol said: "Garrett is a little too young to understand but Shannon in particular is very excited we're getting married.
"We can't wait for the big day to come."
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