Before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Mirror’s 3am girls coined the term “WAGs” for the England team’s Wives and Girlfriends.
David Beckham and Co were knocked out (again) on penalties. But the WAGs walked away with the trophy for best party.
Coleen Rooney, Alex Curran, Victoria Beckham and the then Cheryl Cole became, as former England captain Rio Ferdinand put it, ‘bigger superstars than the players’. They partied their way around various wine bars, clubs and restaurants of Baden-Baden, a sleepy spa town in Germany’s Black Forest. In the BBC documentary ‘England 2006: The Lost Generation,’ Ferdinand admitted: “Baden-Baden was an absolute shambles.”
View 5 ImagesVictoria Beckham, Coleen McLoughlin, Louise Bonsall and Elen Rives go out and about in Baden-Baden in June 2006(Image: Daily Mirror)
England and Man Utd teammate Wayne Rooney described ‘absolute mayhem’ during nights out and details of their huge bar bills emerged. It was fun while it lasted. Covering both the WAGs and the tournament for the Mirror, there were some surreal moments as pop superstars met footballing icons.
Gary Neville’s late father joined the fun for an unforgettable night at the Italian restaurant Garibaldi’s when the bar bill exceeded £3,000.
Neville Neville found himself leading a singalong with a replica World Cup trophy in his hands after a night of celebration.
It sparked the Mirror headline: “Neville Neville in Baden-Baden.” Coleen Rooney’s relatives arrived from Liverpool to join her; on one occasion, she discussed her latest catalogue deal.
View 5 ImagesCheryl and Ashley Cole seen in Baden-Baden in 2006(Image: Daily Mirror)
They were later joined by what appeared to be Jamie Carragher’s entire family who booked into digs dubbed the “House of Scouse.” One tabloid journalist was thrown into a nearby river.
Alex Curran told me that she was ‘very unhappy’ with her star rating out of 10 in one paper.
She joked:”Was that you? I’m at least an eight.” How things have changed.
Under Gareth Southgate and now Thomas Tuchel, the FA hosts family days where children and grandparents join the players for morale-boosting visits. The new generation of Wags is looking to share accommodation in Kansas City to be close to the squad’s training base. There are influencers, interior designers, models, actors and marketing experts. They are as likely to have degrees in public relations or sports management as they are to have a record deal.
Posh Spice Victoria Beckham “buried her boobs in Baden-Baden,” according to ex-Mirror 3am girl Clemmie Moodie in the TV documentary.
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The late Sven-Göran Eriksson’s former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, told the programme that the WAGs ‘tried to keep a low profile.’
I think I missed that one. In the modern era, Gareth Southgate introduced a different approach, welcoming players’ wives, girlfriends, parents and siblings to visit the stars at major tournaments. That is likely to be even more important in the US, Mexico and Canada, with players leaving at the start of June for friendlies in Miami. The final is not until July 19.
There will be WAGs once more, and children, too. Many of the families have become close after attending previous tournaments.
Jordan Pickford’s wife, Megan, 30, is in regular contact with Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, 31.
View 5 ImagesMegan Pickford the partner of England keeper Jordan Pickford is caught up in the action(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson, 26, and Chelsea captain Reece James’s partner Mia McClenaghan are likely heading to the US this summer. Father’s Day falls on June 21, right in the middle of the tournament, the day before England face Ghana in the second crucial Group L game at the Gillette Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Messages from home, videos from loved ones and personal mementos, will be waiting for the England team at their hotel. Interior designer Ellie Alderson will be cheering on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, 30. Watkins and Ellie have two children. Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, 25, welcomed a baby boy with his childhood sweetheart, Annie Keating, in November 2022. West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen and his wife Dani Dyer, daughter of actor and Hammers fan Danny, had twin girls in 2023. Jarrod’s dad and a number of friends and relatives went to the Euros in Germany in a camper van. Jude Bellingham’s Dutch model partner Laura Celia Valk, has featured in shoots with top brands.
View 5 ImagesAbbey Clancy arrives at the 2006 World Cup(Image: Mirrorpix)
Katie Goodland, married to Three Lions captain Harry Kane, is expected to travel with their daughters Ivy, nine, Vivienne, seven, and sons Louis, five, and two-year-old Henry. Arsenal star and World Cup debutant Ebere Eze, 25, married Izuthe Mulatto three years ago.
She is likely to attend games alongside WAGs like Tolami, who graduated with a degree in media and public relations.
Daphne Cohen, wife of England’s late 1966 hero George Cohen, said the team of wives and girlfriends was as close off the pitch as the team was on it.
But she recalled how the wives were ‘invisible beings’ back then. After a gala dinner for the World Cup-winning side, the Cohens drove home for a drink with friends.
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In an interview with the Mirror before the World Cup in Qatar, Daphne promised “wonderful, wonderful” times for today’s WAGs… especially if they lift the Jules Rimet trophy once more. *England 2006: ‘The Golden Generation’, https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002wbmg/england-2006-the-golden-generation