'Being football WAG is hard – it's extremely lonely and I sacrificed everything'

Posted Thursday, May 02, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE: This summer Abbie Orchard will marry the love of her life – a man she met in school and has two children with. But his job as a professional footballer has meant she has sacrificed a lot for his dreams.

'Being football WAG is hard – it's extremely lonely and I sacrificed everything'
Abbie Orchard has two children with footballer Callum Guy (Image: abbieorchard1/Instagram)

Being a glamorous football WAG may sound idyllic – but it is probably not as plain sailing as people think.

Abbie Orchard, 26, said she sacrificed everything to be with her footballer fiancé and she gave a candid insight into the reality of her life.

She will marry Carlisle United midfielder Callum Guy, 27, this summer and the couple have two young children together called Ava and George.

Despite having a beautiful young family and being financially stable, Abbie said the challenges of being with a professional sportsman have been immense.

She spoke to us about the emotional impact of moving homes, her children not trusting family members, forfeiting her own career aspirations and at one stage even feeling too ashamed to spend her partner’s money.

Giving an honest account, Abbie, who met Callum when they were at school together, said: “My biggest misconception is that I am with Callum for his money which obviously couldn’t be further from the truth. I have made so many sacrifices so that Callum can live out his dream.”

Abbie is from Nottingham and Callum was a first year scholar at Derby County's academy when they first met. But since then he has been on loan to Port Vale and Bradford before moving to Blackpool – and he is now at Carlisle United. They are based in Preston - a two hour drive from Nottingham.

And asked about upping sticks, Abbie said: “To move to a new area completely is extremely lonely and not knowing anyone or where anything is is hard.

“It was made harder by having my first daughter and I had no village or help as a young mum who didn’t have a clue. I could really have done with some help from family.

“I would find myself waiting for Callum to come home to have anyone to talk to. FaceTime really helped me keep in touch with friends and family.”

'Being football WAG is hard – it's extremely lonely and I sacrificed everything'
She has been by Callum's side throughout his football career (Image: abbieorchard1/Instagram)

However, as for what moving throughout the country is like for her kids, she added: “I don’t really think anyone knows the affect that it has on my children growing up with just their mum and dad.

“They didn’t trust other people for a very long time and their own family members would hold them and they wouldn’t remember who they were.

“As a result my children refused to say goodbye to people and they get really upset about it. I believe this is because they don’t know how long it will be until they next see them.”

But she heaped praise on her supportive husband to be who she described as completely understanding. She also said that if she is ever feeling down he drives the four hour round trip so she can see her family back home.

The first Christmas they had with their daughter, Callum trained with his club on Christmas Day before driving to Nottingham so nobody would miss out on family time.

But while the footballer makes life as comfortable as he can for his loved ones, it took Abbie a long time to be ok with relying on his finances.

She explained: “From 16 I have always had a job and made my own money. So to all of a sudden have that stopped is a huge adjustment.

“I would buy the children things as Callum is just as responsible for them as I am. However, when it came to myself I would always question if it was a need and not a want. So when I went to buy a £10 top I would talk myself out of it but if it was £10 on the children I wouldn’t even think twice.

“I realised it was ok when I listened to Callum. He suggested a joint bank account so I would feel more comfortable with access to our money. But also Callum would repeatedly tell me to buy the top and repeatedly let me know that it is our money and not his.”

Abbie is also adamant that she wants to one day return to employment so she can do something for her own sense of achievement.

She said: “I would like to have my own career after we are done raising children. We are a young family and would like to continue to grow that family after our wedding.

“With Callum’s job being unpredictable it’s really hard to get a job when there’s no help. For example, Callum can’t take the day off if our children are sick, or book the school holidays off or attend doctors appointments.

“I feel privileged that I can raise our children and Callum makes that happen for us.”