Real footballers' wives - Becky Tallentire

Behind every successful man is a good woman, and in that respect, football is no different from any other walk of life. Every player who pulled on the royal blue of Everton Football Club was somebody's idol and, in the heat of battle, it was hard to imagine them as anything other than just that. But when the final whistle blew and the fans dispersed to discuss the merits of the match, the players threw their kits into the laundry room and went home to resume their roles of husband, provider and father.

Spanning the decades from the early 1930s to the late '70s, Real Footballers' Wives provides a unique insight into the lives of Everton's heroes from the women who loved them. The wives were the cornerstones of their success both on and off the pitch. Steadfast and loyal, their unsung contribution is woven into the history of this great club, but, until now, their poignant and compelling stories of the loneliness, pride, ecstasy, laughter and agony they experienced remained untold.

These magnificent women, who made many personal sacrifices for their husbands' glory, now share their personal, touching and unique recollections that would otherwise have been lost in the mists of time.

Becky Tallentire is a freelance writer based in Southport. She is also the author of Talking Blue and Still Talking Blue, and co-author of Holy Trinity: Kendell, Harvey and Ball.