Sports Direct Shop

Where do you start with Mike Ashley separating the man from the myth. He was born in Walsall, Staffordshire coming from a modestly humble background. The family moved to Burnham, Bucks, on the edge of Slough where Mike Ashley went to Burnham Grammar School. In his early years he was a very talented and competitive squash player and could have been a professional until injury forced him to shift into coaching. Sports Direct was founded in 1982 by Mike Ashley after getting a £10,000 loan from his mum and dad Keith and Barbara. The first store opened in Maidenhead, Berks when Ashley was still only 18 years old. More shops around London followed. This was the start of the Sports Direct empire, which grew into presently more than 700 sports stores in the UK and employs over 30,000 people. Along the way to success he as bought out lots of financially troubled sporting brands. He continues along this course with the purchase of House of Fraser and the lingerie business Agent Provocateur. UK bicycle seller Evans Cycles was sold to Sports Direct as part of an administration deal. Mike Ashley saved the brand but at a cost, half of its UK shops will close but at least it’s still there! The acquisitions go on and the self made Billionaire becomes one of the richest men in the UK. His acumen for business has proven to be highly profitable despite being described as brash, reclusive and eccentric. He’s also the owner of Newcastle United Football Club and often sits in the stands and pops into the local boozers on match days for a pint, well maybe not anymore.