WHILE there is a long list of wags in the footballing world, they have all followed in the footsteps of the original Wags of their time.
The term Wag was first coined in 2006 when Victoria Beckham, Louise Owen and Elen Rives strutted their stuff in Baden-Baden during England’s 2006 World Cup campaign.
The term Wag was first coined during England’s 2006 World Cup campaignAssociated Newspapers
But, it was in the 1990s with the birth of the Premier League, that footballers in England were becoming a catch.
The likes of Ryan Giggs, Liverpool’s ‘Spice Boys’ and many others enjoyed mixing playing on the field with playing off it with these fine beauties.
But who stepped out with who?
Join SunSport in taking a trip down memory lane to revisit the Wags that were ahead of the game… but what do they look now?
Dani Behr
Dani Behr was famous for presenting 1990s TV show The WordTimes Newspapers Ltd
Ryan Giggs and Dani Behr dated in 1994News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now living in LA, Dani Behr works in real estate and still looks glamorous todayGetty – Contributor
Earning notoriety on 1990s show The Word put the gorgeous presenter well and truly in the spotlight.
But it’s her relationships with footballers that made her a tabloid name.
Dani, now 52, was once engaged to former QPR and Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand, who she dated between 1995-98.
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Before that, she famously had a fling with Man United legend Ryan Giggs. Then, in 2001 Dani had a one-year romance with Aussie goalie Mark Bosnich.
She now works in luxury real estate in LA.
Louise Redknapp
Louise Redknapp sang in pop group Eternal before she met Jamie RedknappRex Features
After nearly 20 years of marriage, Louise and Jamie Redknapp split in 2017Getty – Contributor
Before Jamie, Louise, 48, was a singer in pop group Eternal, who debuted in 1993.
She was one of the hottest performers around, which saw her embark on an ill-fated solo career after leaving the group.
In 1997, she met Jamie and they married a year later following a whirlwind romance.
However, in 2017 she announced her marriage to the former Liverpool star had come to an end.
Louise is now preparing to take to the West End in the musical Grease in June.
Suzi Walker
Suzi and Ian Walker embraced celebrity culture by doing fancy photoshootsNews Group Newspapers Ltd
When her marriage came to an end, Suzi Walker dated former Crystal Palace chairman Simon JordanLouis Hollingsbee
Synonymous with the term ‘Footballers Wives’, Suzi was believed to be one of the inspirations behind the ITV show of the same name.
She was married to Tottenham goalie Ian Walker and they regularly posed together in fancy magazine shoots at their home.
But their marriage came to a sticky end when the former England international fessed up that he had an affair.
Suzi, 52, went on to date Simon Jordan in the late 2000s and they had one child together, a girl called Cameron.
Leslie Ash
Leslie Ash and Lee Chapman enjoyed celebrity couple status in the 90sNews Group Newspapers Ltd
At 61, Leslie Ash still looks great and is a regular on the red carpetGetty Images – Getty
Alongside her footballing husband Lee Chapman, Leslie was the epitome of what a Wag was.
She attended all the celeb parties with her Leeds United beau and became a household name thanks to TV comedy Men Behaving Badly.
They married in 1988 and their marriage has lasted the test of time.
Both Ash, 63, and Chapman were still occasionally seen on the party scene, spotted in 2017 at an Ibiza Rocks party.
She is starring in an upcoming TV movie called Gin and IT.
Davinia Taylor
Davinia Taylor was one of the ‘It’ girls of the 90sRex Features
Hollyoaks beauty Davinia Taylor dated footballers including Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler and Jamie RedknappPA:Press Association
Davinia Taylor returned to the soap that made her famous in 2016Nick Obank – The Sun
One of the famous “It” girls of the 90s, the former Hollyoaks beauty was universally loved by the Premier League’s elite.
The soap star, now 45, had flings with Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp and Ryan Giggs through the 90s.
Famously, she married David Beckham’s best mate Dave Gardner in 2003, but they divorced in 2009.
Part of the Primrose Hill set, with besties being Kate Moss and Sadie Frost, she returned to the Cheshire based TV show in 2016.
She now works at Becca Barr Management as a biohacking expert.
Davina McCall
Davina McCall and Stan Collymore had a romance in 1998PA:Empics Entertainment
Now healthier than ever, Davina McCall embraced exercise and changed her dietGetty – Contributor
Davina McCall was labelled a ‘Ladette’ in the 1990sTimes Newspapers Ltd
One of the “Ladettes” of the 90s, Davina was a feisty MTV presenter back in the day.
Another one who embraced party scene, 55-year-old Davina got together with Stan Collymore shortly after he moved from Liverpool to Aston Villa in 1998.
However, their relationship didn’t last, which is one of Collymore’s biggest regrets, according to his book.
He believes she was the one that got away.
Davina is currently dating celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas.
Ulrika Jonsson
Ulrika Jonsson had relationships with Stan Collymore, Les Ferdinand and Sven Goran ErikssonNews Group Newspapers Ltd
TV star Ulrika Jonsson always had an eye for a footballerNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Now 54, Ulrika Jonsson appeared on Celebrity Masterchef in 2017
Which moves us swiftly on to the Swedish bombshell, Ulrika.
She too had a fling with Stan the man, but there was one problem… he was said to be seeing Davina at the time.
Ulrika also reportedly had an affair with Les Ferdinand after they met at a charity event in 1998.
And who can forget when Ulrika, 55, had a romance with former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson. That’s right, no one.
Ulrika now regularly contributes comment articles to The Sun.
Mandy Smith
Mandy Smith married former Spurs hardman Pat Van Den Hauwe in 1993News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now enjoying life out of the spotlight, Mandy Smith teaches youngsters how to prepare for their first Holy CommunionRex Features
A former singer and model in her heyday, Mandy, 52, married former Spurs hardman Pat Van Den Hauwe in 1993.
It didn’t last long, it was just two years before they parted ways.
Before that, self-confessed wild-child Mandy dated former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman when she was just 13-years-old.
She now lives in Manchester, is teetotal and is a church-goer teaching youngsters how to prepare for their first Holy Communion.
Michelle Gayle
Michelle Gayle married footballer and TV pundit Mark Bright in 1996PA:Press Association
Arsenal fan Michelle Gayle starred in Eastenders and released pop songs in the 90sPA:Press Association
In 2011 Michelle Gayle wrote a fictional book about WagsPA:Press Association
The British singer and actress was famous for singing hits “Sweetness” and “Do You Know”, as well as starring in Eastenders in the 1990s.
But the London-born Arsenal fan also married footballer Mark Bright in 1996, before they split ten years later.
Since then, Michelle, 52, has starred in US TV series Wolfblood and appeared on Loose Women as a guest.
She showed she was a true Wag in 2011 by penning a book called “Pride and Premiership” which was about two girls who aspire to get married to footballers.
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham was called the ‘Queen of the Wags’ in 2006News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now a fully fledged fashion designer, Victoria Beckham is far removed from the world of WagsGetty Images – Getty
It wouldn’t be a Wag round-up if we didn’t mention Posh Spice.
Since marrying England legend David Beckham in 1999, it’s fair to say Victoria has moved away from Wag status.
Now working in the realms of high-end fashion, Vic, 48, was dubbed “Queen of the Wags” in 2006.
She spent most of her time at the World Cup in Germany hanging out with Cheryl Cole, but she reportedly wasn’t very social with the other Wags.
Vic now works as a fashion designer.
Emily Symons
Matt Le Tissier dated Emily Symons in 1999 after meeting her in Southampton when she was starring in pantoSolent News
Emily Symons played Marilyn Chambers in Aussie soap Home and AwayPA:Press Association
In 2000, Matt Le Tissier dumped Emily Symons a year before they were supposed to marryITV
The Aussie actress was lauded for her work on Aussie soap Home and Away playing the role of Marilyn Chambers.
After starring as Goldilocks in a panto at a Southampton theatre, she soon began dating Matt Le Tissier in 1999.
The couple got engaged after just six months, but it wasn’t to be.
Le Tiss reportedly dumped Symons, now 53, in 2000 – a year before their planned wedding.
Symons bounced back and married the son of Viscount Hambleden and descendant of English stationery tycoon W.H. Smith Lorenzo Smith.
But they split in 2005 after being married for two years.
In 2015 she had her first child with then partner Paul Jackson.
Emma Bunton
Emma ‘Baby Spice’ Bunton briefly dated footballer Rio FerdinandNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Emma Bunton, now 47, is a radio DJ and presents the Sunday Evening Heart ShowSplash News
When Emma was just a ‘Baby’ in the Spice Girls, she was also getting notable glances from footballers on the party circuit.
Fresh from the success of Victoria dating David, Emma thought she would dip her toe into the football pool.
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She began dating Rio Ferdinand in 1999, when he was plying his trade at West Ham.
It didn’t last long though and she reportedly began seeing actor John Simm soon after.
Caprice
American model Caprice burst onto the scene in the mid-90sTimes Newspapers Ltd
After a fling with Tony Adams, Caprice dated George Best’s son Calum Best and cricketer Kevin PietersenSplash News
The American cover model got close to ex Arsenal captain Tony Adams after they met in 1999.
She originally burst onto the scene, rather literally, in 1996 in an infamous Wonderbra advert.
And her relationship with sports stars, or those related to sports stars, continued.
The 51-year-old also dated George Best’s son Calum and was also seen on the arm of cricketer Kevin Pietersen.
Lizzie Cundy
Lizzie Cundy was once married to former Chelsea footballer Jason CundyRex Features
Now a radio presenter on FUBAR Radio, Lizzie Cundy hosts a show called Access All AreasSplash News
Formerly married to TalkSport host Jason Cundy, Lizzie, 54, has taken full advantage of her WAG status since their split.
She hosts a TV show called WAGS World on Wedding TV, as well as its spin-off Sporting Icon WAGS.
The notorious socialite is also a presenter on FUBAR Radio, hosting weekly chat show Access All Areas.
In 2014, Lizzie showed she was still a catch when she was linked to Hollywood actor Gerard Butler.