ONE of the stars of Hereford United's most famous cup giantkilling has marked a golden milestone off the pitch.

Dudley Tyler was an integral part of the Bulls side which famously knocked top-flight Newcastle United out of the FA Cup in 1972 - still widely regarded as the greatest upset in the competition's 144-year history.

The winger, now 71, later joined West Ham United before returning to Hereford where he still lives with wife Margaret, 69.

Last weekend the pair had cause for celebration after marking 50 years of marriage with a get-together at a city hotel.

"There were 22 family and friends who went to Aylestone Court," said Margaret.

"It was lovely to see them all."

Their marriage began half a century ago in Swindon, where they both worked at 'Rent a Set', which later became Radio Rentals.

Dudley went down on one knee, although it wasn't perhaps the most romantic proposal.

"He went down one one knee while we were in the kitchen cooking spaghetti bolognese," said Margaret.

After Dudley secured a deal to move to Hereford United in 1969, the pair still lived in Swindon, but after the Newcastle heroics, Hereford went on to face West Ham United, forcing a draw at Edgar Street before losing to the famous Hammers in a reply at Upton Park.

Dudley's performances clearly caught the eye of West Ham manager Ron Greenwood, who went on to manage England, and he was snapped up by the East London side.

After signing, Greenwood even took Dudley and Margaret house-hunting in Essex, helping them find a property about half an hour from West Ham's training ground.

At the time, Dudley was on £50 a week, plus bonuses.

He then re-joined the Bulls in 1973 after telling Bulls chairman Frank Miles he would be interested in coming back to the city after bumping into the Hereford United team coach in a petrol station as the Bulls were enroute to a match in Southend.

After retiring from playing, Dudley worked in the food industry before selling plastic.

Margaret, meanwhile, worked in education, including many years at Hereford Sixth Form College, retiring five years ago. They live in the Hampton Dene area of Hereford.

The pair have two children, Nicholas and Charlotte, and three grandchildren, who all live in the county.

Dudley says the secret of a successful marriage is being tolerant of each other, while Margaret says the pair don't argue.

"I just tell him off and get on with it," she joked. "A glass of wine helps, too."