Stoke City forward Peter Crouch has claimed that his wife cares so little about his profession that she once called before a game wondering where he was.
The Englishman outlined why he is happier at this stage of his career as it allows him to be closer to his family, even if it means fielding some unusual phone calls.
"I get home to collect my eldest from school and I'm more involved than I would have been if I'd had them when I was travelling so much with England and Liverpool," he told The Guardian.
"It's also handy that [my wife] Abbey doesn't like football so I switch off more easily.
"She's proud of what I've achieved, but she has been known to call me 10 minutes before kick-off and ask where I am."
Given his massive frame, at 6ft 7 inches, the former Southampton striker needs a bed befitting it and it is one that is so big that it fits the entire family.
"It's so enormous all the kids end up piling in!" he added.
"Sleeping after a night game is impossible without a beer, as there's so much adrenaline.
"If we've lost, I'll be mulling it over and won't sleep until 04:00."
Crouch also insisted that, even in the twilight of his career, he still feels the same infectious enthusiasm for the game as he did when he was first breaking through.
"I don't see my job as work and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do something I've always loved," he continued.
"Some players, like Steven Gerrard, never switch off, but I always enjoy the moment.
"So many kids want to be football players and to still feel like I'm living the dream at 37 is amazing.
"With my diet, I'm lucky because whatever I eat I've never wavered from just under 14 stone.
"I'll have an omelette, porridge and fruit for breakfast at the training ground, then chicken, pasta and soup for lunch and then I can relax in the evening.
"I'm a useless cook, but my wife might do a Thai green curry or a fish pie.
"But match days are bland, it is just about getting fuel."
Given the intense pressure of being a professional football player, the Stoke forward also opened up on how he likes to release the tension away from the field of play.
"If you train hard all week you need the release of having a laugh so I love the odd beer," he admitted.
"We also go to a lot of gigs as Abbey's brother is in a band.
"If I'm not playing golf, which I'm average at, I'll be out with Abbey."
Crouch has recently been promoting his new book, titled 'How To Be A Footballer'.
amicablea
0
to mine either, and so 35 years, that we are going to do, there must be of to. Colorao Per Semper
MONO555
2
How nice, he did not marry a groupie
jobbes
2
Or rather he was not caught by a football goupie