A POSH street has been dubbed ‘footballers’ row’ because it’s become home to so many rival Premier League stars – but locals say their mansions ruin the area.
The average price of a property on Fletsand Road, Wilmslow, in Cheshire, is £4 million and estate agents describe it as one of the town’s “most sought-after” and “desirable” roads.
The gated mansions offer peace and privacy and current residents include Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and his teammate Alexis Mac Allister, who recently bought a home.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once lived there as well as ex-United keeper Sergio Romero.
And Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is also thought to own a property on the road.
Wilmslow forms part of Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’, an affluent area of small towns and villages that also includes Alderley Edge and Prestbury.
Set in glorious countryside, the area, according to one estate agent, “is a delightful blend of sophistication and rural tranquility” and boasts high-end shops and upmarket bars and restaurants.
Visitors to Wilmslow might spot Marcus Rashford jewellery shopping, his Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes leaving a tanning salon or Manchester City star Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner hitting the gym.
But some residents admit it can feel like “living in a bubble” with so many stars hanging around.
One woman, who lives near Fletsand Road, said: “I know it’s a popular road with footballers.
“Some people call it ‘footballers’ row’ or ‘millionaires row’.
“I don’t mind footballers living so close but I don’t like it when they buy somewhere just so they can knock it down and build a bigger home.
“I think it spoils the character of the area.
“My son used to attend the same nursery as Kai Rooney [Wayne Rooney’s son].
“Some of the other Manchester United player’s children went there too.
“I’d see Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick’s children as well as Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy’s.
“It was the most surreal experience going along to kids’ birthday parties and seeing them there too.
The woman, who didn’t wish to be named, said she had even attended soft-play events when some Wags had gone “dressed up in a blouse and high-heels”.
She added: “I’ve been living here 15 years now and I do like it.
“But I am conscious I am living in a bit of bubble.
“I’ve seen lots of women with big hair and fingernails outside restaurants in Wilmslow during the day and thought, ‘Why aren’t these people working?
“It’s not your typical town.”
BY IAN LEONARD
RESIDENTS in a posh village say their high street is crammed with so many expensive supercars it looks like a car showroom.
Alderley Edge is part of Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’ – an affluent area of small towns and villages which also includes Wilmslow and Prestbury.
Luxury vehicles like the Ferrari F40 – with around £1.2million – are a common sight in Alderley.
Set in glorious countryside, the area is known for its expensive homes, high-end shops and upmarket bars and restaurants.
It is popular with wealthy Premier League footballers and celebrities, and has earned a reputation as a millionaire’s playground and a place to see and be seen.
London Road, running through the centre of Alderley Edge, is frequently lined with millions of pounds worth of Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bugattis as well as luxury 4X4s and other cars.
Read the full story here.
According to property website Rightmove, properties on Fletsand Road had an overall average price of £3,900,0000 over the past year – up 144% on the previous year and 30% up on the 2006 peak of £3,000.000.
Tony Goldsmith, 61, who lives nearby for 33 nears, accepts that the town has become an expensive place to live, partly because footballers have driven up property prices.
“But they have to live somewhere,” he said.
“So it’s not really an issue for me.
“I think Wilmslow has always been an expensive place.”
Tony recalled the time ex-Manchester United player Park Ji-sung had just signed for the club and had been invited to meet Sir Alex Ferguson at his home.
“He knocked on my door with this letter in his hand,” he said.
“It was an invitation to meet Fergie at his house but he didn’t know how to get there.
“So I ended up taking him there myself.
“Sir Alex doesn’t live on Fletsand Road now but I used to see him quite often.”
Aside from its luxury homes, Wilmslow has other attractions.
The Symposium nightclub has become a celebrity haunt and is where Wayne Rooney partied in September 2017 before he was arrested for drink-driving while taking a woman he’d “kissed and cuddled” home in her car.
Swish restaurant Cibo is another place to spot celebrities and there are many other fine-dining spots as well as designer boutiques, jewellers and high-end furniture and interior stores.
Little wonder then, so many footballers now call it home.
