CHRISTMAS came early for a 34-year-old from Weston when her boyfriend popped the question in front of thousands of people. Property developer Paul Groves got down on one knee on

CHRISTMAS came early for a 34-year-old from Weston when her boyfriend popped the question in front of thousands of people.Property developer Paul Groves got down on one knee on the penalty spot and asked Josephine Riley to marry him during Portsmouth's match against Sheffield United at Fratton Park on Saturday (Dec 23).When the half-time whistle blew Paul, who lives with Josephine in Stroud Way, Weston Village, emerged in a blue Santa outfit in front of a sea of Pompey fans chanting "You don't know what you're doing."Josephine, who was visiting family with Paul in Portsmouth for the festive season, initially said no as a joke but soon accepted her partner's proposal.The mother of two said: "I was thrilled and it triumphs over everything that has ever happened to me. We have been on the champagne ever since Saturday."Paul, who used to own The Plume of Feathers pub in Rickford, where the couple met, says he had been planning to pop the question for a while but when the spare ticket for the match came up the opportunity was perfect.The 40-year-old said: "The football club bent over backwards to help me with ideas on how to propose."Josephine thought while she went to watch the match with her mum I would be waiting in the pub and would meet her after."But officials at the club put something on her seat which meant she had to take part in half-time activities on the pitch and that's when I got down on one knee and proposed."When she said yes it was the most awesome Christmas present I could have asked for."Josephine and Paul hope to tie the knot in 2007.