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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
James Draper

Who is Mrs Gareth Southgate? Everything you need to know about the England manager's wife, Alison

Her husband is making football history at the World Cup 2018.

But, while England manager Gareth Southgate is a national treasure, few people are familiar with his wife, Alison.

The blonde babe, 51, has been married to the ex-footballer for two decades, yet keeps a low profile. In fact, she actively shuns the glare of the spotlight.

Except, earlier this week, she made a rare public appearance at the nerve-shredding match between England and Colombia, where she provided an emotional embrace for her man.

So who exactly is she? How did the couple meet? And what does their future hold? Here's everything you need to know about the mysterious WAG, Alison Southgate.

Who is Alison Southgate?

Gareth Southgate married his bride Alison in a church wedding in 1997 (PA Archive)

Originally from West Sussex, Alison Bird was a simple shopgirl before she became a WAG.

She worked in a local clothing boutique, which is where she first met Southgate - who fancied her from afar but, dogged by self-confidence issues, waited over two years to ask her out.

Controversially, she was already living with a boyfriend at the time, but dumped him for Gareth, who - back then - was an up-and-coming trainee at Crystal Palace.

Fast-forward to July 1997 and the couple got married in Crawley. Their wedding date was deliberately sandwiched between the World Cup and the European Championship campaigns.

Now, twenty years on, she is the mother to their two teenage children: Mia, 19, and Flynn, 15.

What else should we know about her?

The 51-year-old leads a healthy lifestyle (Facebook)

She's four years older than her husband, but doesn't necessarily look it. This, friends say, is partly down to a healthy lifestyle which plays-out in the lush Yorkshire countryside.

There they live in a massive £4million converted farmhouse, which she lovingly decorated.

Friends also claim she's a strict vegetarian, performs pilates and mediates every day.

She also harbours a passion for animal rights.

What has her husband said about her?

With their two teenage children: Mia, 19, and Flynn, 15 (Facebook)

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In his 2003 autobiography, Southgate praised his family life for adding balance to his hectic career.

"On Saturday evening, our children are not too bothered whether Dad’s team have won or lost," he wrote.

"Neither does Alison fret too much about football, and this is how I like it. Regardless of the result, it is up to me to ensure that no one’s evening is ruined because of things that happened on a football field.

"The agonising waits until Alison and the kids are asleep."

Is she a football fan?

Gareth and Alison embrace after the Colombia match (REX/Shutterstock)

Not really - she takes an interest because it's the family's income source, but that's it.

To prove it, her father-in-law, Clive Southgate, told MailOnline: "Actually, I don’t think Alison likes football very much.

"Obviously she has to take an interest because it’s Gareth’s job, and she is always very supportive.

"She will sometimes go to Wembley for an international game — but not during the school term because she always puts the children first."

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