A FOOTBALLER from North Wales tied the knot with his partner of eight years in Mold over the weekend.

Notts County centre half Connell Rawlinson, from Connah's Quay, married 27-year-old Georgia Panton at Mold Registry Office on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Rawlinson, 29, told the Leader he was delighted the ceremony and celebrations were able to go ahead, after changing their original plans due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The couple met though mutual friends eight years ago and Mr Rawlinson, who was born in Wrexham, proposed during a surprise meal in Chester 18 months ago.

He said: "We won't be having a honeymoon - I have to be back in football a short while after we're married.

"But we're planning to go to Cuba eventually, with family and friends once the restrictions ease off.

"We were initially planning to get married abroad, but with covid and everything we decided to do it this summer."

Following the wedding the couple, who have a baby on the way, went for a meal at Chester Racecourse, before celebrating with family and friends at Hawarden Golf Club.

Mr Rawlinson, who has an eight-year-old daughter named Amelia-Lily from a previous relationship, added: "We scaled back the first dance and the speeches because we weren't going to be able to do it properly but we couldn't wait, we've wanted to do it for a while.

"Amelia-Lily's been really excited too, she's been loving it and we're all looking forward to the baby arriving."