'I was an NFL cheerleader – but now I'm a Premier League WAG I have far more eyes on me'
Former NFL cheerleader Ashley Turner, who is married to Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner, stars in Amazon Prime's new docu-series Married To The Game, which premieres this month
The wife of Nottingham Forest keeper Matt Turner says she gets more attention now than she ever did as an NFL cheerleader.
Ashley Turner, who tied the knot with Matt in 2022 shortly before he sealed a dream move to Arsenal, is one of several WAGs featured in Amazon Prime's upcoming docu-series, Married To The Game, detailing the behind-the-scenes lives of footballers' partners.
Ashley is no stranger to the limelight, having spent a season cheerleading for the New England Patriots, but insists being a Premier League star's missus is a different kettle of fish. "You also notice there are many more eyes on you," she said speaking ahead of the show's launch. "People ask for photos when you walk down the street or just want to have a chat.
READ MORE: Arsenal WAG Cat Harding admits she’ll avoid footballer husband for 24 hours after defeats
READ MORE: Didier Drogba's stunning WAG who dazzled at AFCON final is high-powered CEO
"I got attention as an NFL cheerleader, but this is definitely different; football is just so big. It’s so much fun to be here in the UK, getting behind Matt’s team and cheering him on. There’s something magical about the Premier League."
Part of the reason Ashley chose to do the show was to disprove a number of unflattering stereotypes attached to being a WAG. She said: "People think all you care to do is go shopping, and don't get me wrong, I love a nice handbag. But what I care about is quality time, that’s what most of us wives really value in this industry, to be able to set aside a moment to be with your family."
Will you be watching Married To The Game? Let us know in the comments section below.
She also claims being an elite footballer's wife isn't always as glamourous as people think it is. "There are misconceptions regarding this life, even back home, they just think we have access to all sorts of things that don’t exist!
"We do have some childcare support, but we don’t have any family over here to help, so it’s not the same. Even I had misconceptions of what this life would be like.
"I always want to support Matt, and allow him to live his dream, and I’m glad we’ve made those sacrifices, but that doesn't always mean that life is going to be glamorous, easy, or comfortable. People definitely have an assumption that we live a different life to the one we actually lead."
Ashley, 26, followed Matt, 29, to London when he left New England Revolution to join Arsenal, and had to up sticks a year later when he signed for Nottingham Forest. But make no mistake, Ashley is no mere WAG. She's a devoted mother of two and a successful entrepreneur.
After getting a business masters from Harvard University, Ashley set up a non-profit company supporting breast cancer survivors called the Miss Pink Organisation. "Right now, it's still based in the US, but I’ve always had dreams of extending it internationally, and now that I am in the UK it probably is more feasible to be able to introduce it here," she added.
"We support breast cancer survivors and their families by providing groceries or childcare when women are undergoing treatment, so instead of focusing on research, we try to offset those daily stresses."
Husband Matt made just seven appearances for the Gunners before being snapped up by Forest last summer. He's also USA's No. 1 keeper and has earned 37 caps since making his debut in 2021.
The first episode of Married To The Game is set to air on Friday, February 23.