by Adrianne Medallon

The hottest export since the pasty calls out Gareth Southgate

The hottest export since the pasty, Amy Christophers calls out Gare...
The hottest export since the pasty calls out Gareth Southgate

Once named 'Rear of the Year' by Loaded, Amy Christophers hails from Cornwall, and has since gained fame as a the sports presenter known as the ‘hottest export since the pasty’. She started out presenting on 'Sports Tonight Live' focusing on football and hosted her show called '90 MFS' (90-minute football show). She’s also a qualified Ref for the FA. Fully Loaded in erh, many departments we’d say! 

Amy can also be posh and proper. She’s presented the Women’s Rugby Show at The Red Roses at Twickenham Stadium for the Women’s Six Nations and frequently covers Horse Racing events. Ooh err…

“My first day on this earth was spent at the football,” says Amy. “My grandad founded a grassroots club in Cornwall, so my mum took me straight from the hospital to the game to introduce me to the family. So when I say I was born into football I'm not lying - I had no choice! I spent every weekend at the football. You can't beat the smell of deep heat and ale in a grassroots clubhouse!” 

A Chelsea FC fan, Amy admits it's been ‘a bit tough going, to say the least’ lately and claims she wouldn’t marry a footballer.They're all a bit young for me now,” she says. “It would have to be a footballer turned pundit or a manager/coach.” 

She can play ball though lads! 

“I wouldn't say I can play well, but I do give it a go,” she says. “I've played for local women's teams and I represented Chelsea FC in 2019 for a celeb match at the Camp Nou. That was an unreal experience, I played in goal and kept a clean sheet. We won 9-0!”

Seems there’s no end to the talents of the posh pasty. She even learned Hindi! 

“I was working for Sportconvo and they had a big Cricket audience in India, so I had to swat up on Hindi,” she says. “I didn't learn the whole language, just my scripts for the shows. Google Translate was my best friend. I like to get stuck in and do the best I can on jobs. I'm very dedicated to the cause. I can only remember a few phrases now though.”

Ask and she’ll answer…

Since you also host rugby and horse racing, are you a horsey girl? And having grown up in Cornwall are you partial to a country pursuit?

“I can't say I was ever into horses growing up, I had a couple of riding lessons but I'm scared of horses, because they have a mind of their own. I freak out being on one. I like to be in total control. However, I love being around them, they're beautiful creatures. I'd like to get over my fear as I've been asked in the past to ride in the Magnolia Cup and it would be so cool to do that. I got into horse racing through the betting side of it all.”

What sport is next for the girl who does it all?

“Having moved away to London for 16 years and recently returning to Cornwall I am loving being a country bumpkin again and going out for walks around our beautiful coastlines and going for sea swims. I'm ashamed to say that I've never actually surfed, I might give it a try this summer!”

Who would make your list of dream football dinner guests past and present?

“It'd have to be the first lady of football, Karren Brady - I'd pick her brains- she's someone I look up to in the industry.

Bobby Moore, what an amazing life he had and lifting the World Cup. He was properly resilient!

Harry Redknapp, the after-dinner stories would never end! Although I think I've heard most of them now - they never get old!

Brian Clough was such an interesting character and he's someone I would've loved to interview. 

Didier Drogba obvs!

Mary Earps, I wanna be her bestie. I think she's amazing and as a goalie myself I love that she's made it cool now!

And Micah Richards he'd bring the banter as a side dish!”

Fave food? 

Sushi

Can you cook? If so, what? 

“I'm a pretty good cook, I love experimenting in the kitchen! I make an amazing French version of a chicken hotpot and my chicken arrabbiata always goes down well. I've just got into making ramen, that's my new obsession. But I'll give anything a go.”

Who pays on a date- the man, the woman, or 50/50? 

“I always offer, but a guy goes up in my estimations if he pays. It's nice to be treated now and again.”

If you were a footballer, what position would you play and why? 

“Goalie, mainly because I'm a keeper, but also I'm lazy and hate running!”

Fave footballer on the planet? 

“Didier Drogba was a Chelsea Legend and I even named my sausage dog after him.”

Who have better bodies? Rugby players or footballers? Just don't say jockeys!  

“I like my men stocky so I'd have to say Rugby players, I want to feel little, feminine and protected.”

What's next for you?  

“I have some exciting things I'm working on around the euros, I took my eye off the ball for a while, but I'm back now and ready to throw myself into an amazing summer of sport.”

Opinions on the Euros, please? Best and worst players, England's chances and who you'd put your money on.

“I think if we don’t get to the final it will be a failure. We had everything going in our favour for the time out in 2021, I doubt the road to the final will be as easy this year. Gareth needs to ditch his two-holding midfielder he likes to do and play to our strengths which are in attack. Play Declan in the 6 and play 2 x 8’s in Foden and Bellingham. 

“Ben White is in form the best RB in the league. Gareth made a massive error allowing him to turn England down because of conflicts with his coaching staff.

No doubt Jordan Henderson will be on the plane, but I think Gareth should change it up a bit. 

“Our front 6 are the best players without a doubt. Palmer could potentially start on LW over Rashford or Grealish based on form. Or switch Saka to LW. 

Gareth won’t do this because it's not his style, he'd rather lose an attacking player to have two holding. If he does that the only player he should play there alongside Declan would be Mainoo.

“Also think he should drop Rashford and bring both Watkins and Toney. Watkins could fill the LW void too.

“Germany will be playing for home pride, and how good would a Germany V England final be!!”

Amy- we salute you! 

@thatsportsspice

Tell us more about you in a quickfire?

* Fave food? Sushi

* Can you cook? if so, what? I'm a pretty good cook, I love experimenting in the kitchen! I make an amazing French version of a chicken hotpot and my chicken arrabbiata always goes down well. I've just got into making ramen, that's my new obsession. But I'll give anything a go.

* Who pays on a date- the man, the woman, or 50/50? I always offer, but a guy goes up in my estimations if he pays. it's nice to be treated now and again.

* If you were a footballer, what position would you play and why? Goalie, mainly because I'm a keeper, haha but also I"'m lazy and hate running!

* Fave footballer on the planet? Didier Drogba was a Chelsea Legend and I even named my sausage dog after him.

* Who have better bodies? Rugby players or footballers? Just don't say jockeys! I like my men stocky so I'd have to say Rugby players, I want to feel little, feminine and protected.

* What's next for you?  I have some exciting things I'm working on around the euros, I took my eye off the ball for a while, but I'm back now and ready to throw myself into an amazing summer of sport.