THE wife of Birmingham City striker Matt Derbyshire has hit out WAG critics as she prepares to trek across the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

Dubliner Melissa Derbyshire moved to Birmingham from Greece last summer following her husband’s loan move from Olympiakos.

And the 27-year-old mum of twin boys said she was uncomfortable with the picture painted of WAGs as workshy women surrounded by wealth and glamour.

Melissa, a flight attendant until she had children, said: “So-called WAGs get an awful portrayal.

“I pulled up at a Birmingham game in the car and the fans were shouting WAG. I didn’t get it – were they trying to insult me?

“I loved work, but what is the point in paying someone else to look after my kids? We are in a fortunate position where I don’t have to work and don’t see what the problem is with that.

“I know lots of women who don’t go out with footballers – their husbands are electricians or doctors and they stay at home with the children because it makes sense for their family.

“When I have some time I’ll think about what I might like to do but I won’t be doing it to prove a point because I am married to a footballer.