9 months ago
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Footballers' wives have historically come under criticism but a new generation are keen to share the daily challenges of being a WAG.
Being the spouse of a Premier League footballer has its undoubted advantages but for many whose story is often overlooked, the journey provides its own demands.
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With fixture schedules bustling and players required to travel more than ever before, wives are often pursuing their own career interests and social media profiles while supporting their superstar husbands.
The idea of a glitzy lifestyle in the public eye is not always the reality as one wife recently found out after suffering a nasty injury thanks to her husband’s teammate.
“I’ve got a broken nose right now because I went to a game and got hit in the nose,” Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner’s wife Ash told talkSPORT.
“It happened during the warm up. It was [Gonzalo] Montiel. I don’t think it’s glitz and glamour.”
Ash is set to star in a new Prime Video six-part documentary entitled ‘Married to the Game’ which showcases the lives of the wives and girlfriends of Premier League footballers during the summer transfer window.
Married to the Game provides viewers with a first-hand look at the lives football couples lead with relationship stress and huge life changes put under the microscope.
Speaking about her move from the United States to London when husband Matt signed for Arsenal in 2022, Ash claims the biggest step up from MLS, was the intensity that shrouds the Premier League.
“I don’t think I was necessarily prepared for the intensity of the Premier League. We came from MLS and obviously that’s not as high profile,” she added.
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“This league is just developed in people’s blood and it’s a beautiful thing. The pressure for the players and their families is something I don’t think you can prepare for.
“You have to just go through the journey and experience it and that’s where you really learn the ins and outs of everything.
Danny Murphy reveals jaw-dropping tale on how a teammate's wife stirred up trouble at Liverpool
“We moved over to Arsenal when I was eight months pregnant and I had to move before Matt finished up his season. I came to the country without a place to live.
“It's definitely different but I wouldn’t trade it for the world because I feel like Matt and I have grown closer for this experience.
“It doesn’t make things easier not being able to have your family next door to call on and we’re grateful we have a very supportive family but that was definitely difficult.”
Married to the Game launches on Prime Video on February 23 and follows the lives of Turner, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, James Tarkowski and Jorginho.
