Britain’s sexiest footballer: Leatherhead star Tom Derry is one of the top 30 most swiped right daters on Tinder in the UK… but he’s still single
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STEP aside David Beckham, you're NOT Britain's sexiest footballer.
That moniker goes to the still single Tom Derry who... wait for it... plays for Leatherhead in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
The handsome Olivier Giroud lookalike is one of the most swiped-right Tinder users in the country, scoring plenty of dates through the dating app.
SunSport spoke with the 23-year-old Londoner who told us where we're going wrong with our love lives and how YOU can improve your profile.
Tom compared going on a date to playing a football match, shared his best and worst Tinder moments and admitted swiping has now become a pregame ritual.
However, he also revealed how he's been getting stick from his teammates ever since he featured in a list compiled by Cosmopolitan to find Tinder's most successful daters.
Even Leatherhead's Tannoy announcer couldn't help but poke fun at Tom before a home game.
"I'm not entirely sure why I'm so popular on Tinder," Tom told SunSport.
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"But I reckon I come across as a genuine guy. My profile gives an accurate representation of who I am and it's flattering to know people are swiping for that.
"I recently added a picture of my dog to my profile, and I have to say that's been a major help to my success on the app.
"I have a few football pictures and some of me on a night out too. People like it when you're physically fit, but also don't take yourself too seriously."
Trying to remain somewhat mysterious is key to a successful Tinder account, Tom divulged.
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He never uses Snapchat filters and said being real is the key to his success.
"Don't be fake, don't use Snapchat filters and don't reveal too much of yourself.
"Use genuine, unedited pictures that give not only a clear representation of what you look like, but also a good impression of the type of person you are.
"If you like football, stick up a picture of you playing football or in a football shirt.
"The closer you can get your profile to match up to who you really are, the more likely you are to find someone you're actually compatible with."
Tom confessed that he used to say he was a footballer on his Tinder profile, but ditched that approach when he couldn't find a suitable date.
He also resisted the temptation to invite a date to a game because he was more concerned with making the playoffs with The Tanners this season.
"I used to say I was a footballer when I was playing full time, but sometimes that attracted the wrong type of girl so I removed it," he said.
"Now I've got a couple of football pictures in there just so they know I like football and that it's a big part of my life.
"I've had girlfriends come to games in the past, but never invited a date to a game.
"I had someone ask to come and watch recently, but my mind was on making the play-offs and not looking good on the pitch."
Fitting in a football career and a busy love-life is tough for Tom, who admits he struggles to go on as many dates as he'd like.
"It can be difficult to fit dates in around football," he revealed.
"Tuesday and Thursday evenings we always have a game or training, and I never do anything on a Friday night because of our games on Saturday.
"I'm rather selective now, so I'd say I go on maybe one every couple of weeks. But I don't like dating multiple people at once, so it depends if I find someone I like.
"I don't have the time to go to bars and clubs to meet girls, so I find that Tinder gives me a great platform to meet people I wouldn't usually have the opportunity to meet."
Getting a match on Tinder is like a football match, Tom believes.
He explains: "You could compare a Tinder match to a football match. I like to keep my opening line simple, like a completed pass in the first few minutes.
"Then, after we chat for a bit, I ask for their number and see how the match progresses after that.
"Re-evaluate at half time, switch up the tactics if need to and consult my teammates.
"Organise a date, maybe some refreshments, to keep you going until full time.
"If you're pleased with the chemistry, arrange a repeat fixture as soon as possible.
"And if that goes well, get her on a contract! I'm looking for a long-term contract now."
Being one of Tinder's most popular daters means that Tom has travelled far shores for some dates.
He recalled his best: "I met up with a match in Bali, we spent a couple of days together going for dinners and to the beach.
"She said I reminded her of David Beckham, which is a compliment I'll definitely take.
"I've had a few really good Tinder dates though. Despite the old stigma around online dating, Tinder is a huge part of how young people date today."
But it's not been all plain sailing for the Tom, who also remembered his worst date.
"I once bumped into a previous date while on another date and that was a little awkward!
"But I've not really had any disastrous dates. I think I'm quite easy to get along with, so most dates go relatively well. Of course, you get the odd case of just not clicking."
Back in April, Tinder released their 30 most successful right-swiped daters of 2018.
Tom featured in the list of men published by women's fashion bible, which he was over the moon with.
However, being the competitive sportsman he is, Tom said he would love to know exactly where he ranks in that list.
"I was (surprised) at first and thought it was one of my friends having me on when I heard," he said.
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"I remember seeing an article last year of the previous list and being a little jealous, so I'm pleased I made it on there this year.
"But I wish it was ranked. I'm obviously very competitive, so it would be good to know how I match up against the others in the top 30."
Despite being a hit with the opposite sex, it's not made Tom immune to a bit of tongue-in-cheek banter from his Leatherhead teammates.
And even the clubs' Tannoy announcer got in on the fun at their players' expense.
"Yes, I got a lot of stick from my teammates!
"We had a game on the evening the list came out and I walked in to our skipper showing the article around the changing room, soon followed by a huge uproar.
"I've been getting bombarded with messages on Twitter by all the Leatherhead fans. I think they've found it quite entertaining.
"The first game after the article was released, we went out for the warm up.
"Over the Tannoy I hear, 'We would like to congratulate Tom Derry on being one of Tinder's Most Right-Swiped 2018', followed by Sex Bomb by Tom Jones on repeat.
"Now, I usually get to football early because swiping has become a bit of a pre-game ritual."