Cheryl Cole, pop star and footballer wife of Ashley Cole, once said, "It really annoys me when people try to call me a footballer's wife. Footballers' wives have no careers and live off their husbands' money."
Let’s face it, most WAGs are known for shopping by day, partying by night and often providing far more entertainment for us than their football-playing boyfriends and husbands. The WAGs are seriously high-maintenance, but what did they do before they met their love matches?
Victoria Beckham
The match: Also known as Posh Spice, the wife of former England captain David Beckham is described as the “Queen of the WAGs.” Victoria attended theatre school and answered an ad seeking "streetwise, outgoing, ambitious" singers in the trade newspaper, The Stage, which led to fame in the Spice Girls. She is now a fashion designer and businessperson.
In training: As a session singer or musician, hours can be unsocial and irregular. Studio recording can run until late at night. You may perform full-time or part-time alongside another job. You might play one-off gigs or booked for a whole season, for example if appearing at a holiday park.
Transfer fee: If you are starting out you may be lucky to earn £20 - £30 a gig. Posh Spice’s marriage and singing have made her the 52nd richest woman in Britain with an estimated joint wealth of £112 million.
Elen Rives
The match: Spanish-born Rives is wife of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard. At the age of 20, she ended up in Abu Dhabi as a nightclub server in the Forte Grand Hotel. After returning home for a year, she returned to work as a receptionist.
In training: Waiting staff are usually expected to work evenings, weekends and public holidays. Shift work is also common. A uniform is often required and will normally be supplied by your employer (sometimes for a fee). You will spend most of your time in the dining area or nightclub, and some in the kitchen, where it is likely to be hot, humid and noisy.
Transfer fee: Many waiters and waitresses earn hourly wages and can expect tips. A full-time starting salary may be £8,000 a year or less; a head server may earn up to £17,000. The starting salary for a receptionist can be £10,000 a year rising to £20,000.
Carly Zucker
The match: She is the partner of Chelsea footballer Joe Cole and a former fitness instructor.
In training: As a full-time fitness instructor, you would usually work 38 to 40 hours a week, often on a rota basis to cover early mornings, evenings and weekends. You would work indoors in gyms, health clubs or leisure centres. If self-employed, you may also take classes in school halls or community centres.
Transfer fee: Starting salaries for fitness instructors can be around £10,000. This can rise to from £14,000 to over £20,000
Alex Curran
The match: Curran, a former nail technician, met Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard at a nightclub. She reportedly rebuffed the £120,000-a-week star three times before they went on a date.
In training: This normally involves around 37 hours a week, often including weekends and evenings. You may work alone, or in a salon with other technicians, beauticians, hairdressers or therapists. You will have the opportunity to be self-employed, working from home or visiting clients in their own homes.
Transfer fee: Nail technicians may earn from around £10,000 to around £15,000 while someone who is highly experienced and self-employed can earn up to £25,000. Alex is now a model and fashion columnist for the Daily Mirror.
Toni Poole
The match: Toni Poole and Chelsea centre back John Terry are childhood sweethearts from Barking and Dagenham. She is a former beautician.
In training: As a beauty therapist, you usually work between 9am and 5pm, including Saturdays. Some salons offer evening appointments. Other work locations include clinics, health farms, hotels, fitness clubs and cruise ships. You could be self-employed, choosing to work from home or visiting clients in their own homes.
Transfer fee: Starting salaries for beauty therapists can be around £10,000 a year rising to £15,000. Salon managers can earn over £20,000 a year. Beauty therapists also receive tips and earn commission on products they sell in the salon.
Emma Hadfield
The match: Hadfield is the girlfriend of Gary Neville, who earns £80,000 a week as Manchester United’s captain. Emma was a shopgirl and is now studying holistic therapy.
In training: As a full-time sales assistant, you normally work 38 hours a week, including weekends and evenings. Part-time work is common as are shift patterns. You will normally spend a lot of time on your feet and may be expected to wear a uniform.
Transfer fee: Full-time sales assistants usually earn between £10,000 and £13,000 a year. Supervisors can earn up to £18,000 a year. Many larger retail companies also offer benefits like staff discount and bonus schemes.
