‘I’ve spent £85k & 17 years trying to bag a footballer’

Slipping into a slinky dress, Carly Knight checks her hair, nails and tan are immaculate before heading out on the town.

She knows she has to look perfect as she’s up against stiff competition to get what she wants – a footballer boyfriend and preferably one who plays for the Premier League.

Carly, 37, who lives in Berkshire with her son Connor, 18, admits she has spent an incredible £85,000 on her appearance over the years, splashing out on regular lip fillers and clothes, and will stop at nothing to fulfil her ambition of becoming a footballer’s wife. And as the Euros get into full swing, Carly is more determined than ever to bag a player.

Carly says, “I would just love that fancy lifestyle. I look at them with their gorgeous houses and incredible cars and I want to have that, too.

“I’ve met a few footballers and even had a one-night stand with a former Premiership and England player. But I won’t give up until I have that ring on my finger.”

Carly’s love of the game – and the players – started when she was young. Her father worked as a football coach for various local teams in London and her brothers were mascots for Chelsea. She would go along too and would meet the players after the game – and their other halves. She says, “It was so glamorous and the wives and girlfriends were beautiful. I longed to be part of that world.”

Carly fell pregnant in 2002, when she was 19, after a very brief fling, and gave birth to her son, Connor.

She has had a couple of serious relationships over the years – but never took her eye off the main prize.

She says, “I worked as a promotions girl at football matches, and would make a beeline for the players – even if I was in a relationship. It was a real dog eat dog situation asI’d be competing against so many other girls.

“I’d wear as little as possible to show off my figure. I wouldn’t target anyone in particular – as long as they played at a senior level, I was happy.”

It was during the 2006 World Cup that the term WAG (Wives And Girlfriends) became a well-known phrase – with Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Coleen Rooney being widely acknowledged as the Queen Bees as they sat in the stands watching their partners play.

Carly says, “I was in my early 20s then and they all looked like they had the best lives, supporting their men while dripping with jewels and designer handbags. I wanted to be like Victoria Beckham – she had it all!”

It was in 2010 that her efforts paid off when she says she spent the night with a then-Premiership player while partying at Fabric nightclub in London. She says, “He invited me back to his hotel and we had an incredible night of sex.

“I was asked to leave my phone outside the bedroom as lots of players had been burnt before by girls taking pictures and then selling them on to newspapers. I would never have done that, though. It came to nothing, but it was a huge confidence boost.”

She’s so hell-bent in her mission to become a footballer’s wife, Carly has even got into debt for it.

She says, “I’ve spent £85,000 and 17 years trying to bag a footballer. I am determined!”

She has her nails and eyebrows done every two weeks, costing £2,000 a year. She regularly has £600 hair extensions put in, and spends £800 on Botox and £500 on lip fillers every year. She also spends £1,800 on clothes – as she never likes to be seen in the same outfit twice – splashing out thousands on designer handbags and jewellery from brands such as a Louis Vuitton.

Check out: from Cheryl to Coleen Rooney - where are the 2006 WAGS now?

She says, “I’ve upped my overdraft and taken out credit cards to pay for things. I don’t mind getting into debt.

“I’m getting older, but I feel I look better than ever. I eat well and exercise to maintain my size 10 figure. Luckily, I’ve got naturally big boobs, but I wouldn’t rule out going under the knife.

“Lots of the players are in their 20s, but that doesn’t bother me, I like a younger man.”

Carly has now started her own cleaning business – and coincidently several of her clients are footballers.

She says, “I was very excited when I found out! Sadly, they’re all happily married. They have beautiful homes and expensive cars. I think their wives can be quite lazy – if I was married to a footballer, I’d treat him so well.”

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Though lockdown has meant nightclubs have been closed, Carly has still been able to keep her dream alive by going to charity football matches when restrictions allowed.

She says, “To make my dream happen, I befriend famous people. I got to know a glamour model and made sure to look after our friendship because of her connections! My local team is Reading FC and I make sure I keep up to date with their new signings, so I can recognise them when I’m out and about.

“Some of the players go for a run in my local park – I’ve worked out roughly when they go, so I go for a walk around the same time and try to catch their eye!”

Carly adds, “I know some players have a bad reputation for cheating, but it doesn’t put me off. I’d just turn a blind eye as at least you’d be in the lap of luxury. My friends and family find it all quite funny. And my son just wants me to be happy. People have told me I need a reality check, but this has been my dream for 17 years and I will not stop until I’ve netted myself a star player. I’ll be watching the Euros over the next few weeks to eye up the new talent.”

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