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    I used to work in a clothes shop fitting Kell Brook’s shoes, now I’m looking to fill his boots in the ring

    CALLUM SIMPSON used to fit Kell Brook’s shoes but now he wants to fill his boots.Barnsley’s 27-year-old super-middleweight put himself through college with a part-time job in a menswear shop where Sheffield’s former welterweight world champ would pop in for free gear.Callum Simpson fights Zak Chelli at Barnsley’s Oakwell stadiumCredit: GettySimpson and Sheffield’s world champion Kell Brook go way backCredit: https://www.instagram.com/callumsimp/Simpson would have to race up and down stairs to cater for his celebrated fellow Yorkshireman.But now the tables have turned and Brook will drive 12 miles up the M1 to support Simpson, in his bid to dethrone dangerous British and Commonwealth champ Zak Chelli.Ahead of Saturday’s shootout at Simpson’s beloved Barnley’s Oakwell stadium, he told SunSport: “Between the ages of 16-18 I worked part-time, while I was still in college, in a clothes shop that sponsored Kell Brook.“When Kell would come in I would have to wait for him to pick all the shoes he wanted, run upstairs to find them all in his size, then loosen all the laces so be could slide them on, like Cinderella.Read more in Boxing“We would get free tickets for his fights when they were at the Sheffield arena and my mates would always tell me ‘that’ll be you one day’.“And now I am signed with Boxxer and Sky Sports and Kell has messaged me to say he will come over and watch.“So going from loosening his shoes to having him at ringside will be a nice and surreal moment. But it’s all come from hard work.”Simpson continued to subsidise his training and fighting with work in fashion right up until last year when he broke out of the small-hall circuit.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe’s timed his 14-0 form perfectly as the new Saudi money flooding into the sport is giving some of these brave men the fortunes they deserve.But boxing fans should remember the blood, sweat, tears and honest toil they all go through to get anywhere near the top.Inside Anthony Joshua’s amazing car collection “This stuff doesn’t happen overnight,” the down-to-earth lad said.“When I had my first area title fight in 2022, my first 10-rounder, I was training twice-a-day and working 45hr weeks, Saturdays and Sundays.“For that fight I weighed-in at Friday lunchtime and rushed into work to make up the time, then boxed on Saturday and worked all day Sunday.“My second fight was a four-rounder in 2019, on a Josh Warrington undercard at Leeds arena and I worked the next day.When I had my first area title fight in 2022, my first 10-rounder, I was training twice-a-day and working 45hr weeks, Saturdays and SundaysCallum Simpsom“But because I worked in a busy store, not tucked away in an office or on a building site, I was having lads come up all day looking puzzled.“They were asking me if I was really the bloke they had seen box the night before and what the hell I was doing there trying to sell them jeans and trainers. “Because fans often think that if you box on TV then you are instantly a millionaire, like the footballers, but it’s far from it. Nothing comes overnight in boxing.”Simpson first caught our eye when he walked into a show as a VIP fan wearing an outrageous pink and furry jacket and sunglasses.It looked like he was the latest boxer to full victim to the glitz-and-glamour charade that ruins so many young talents.I know exactly what one you mean and I only wore it because I had just bought in Milan – and that sounds posh but it was only in H&M over there!Callum SimpsonCallum Simpson looked the part when he met Kano in his pink jumperCredit: https://www.instagram.com/callumsimp/But he put us right perfectly, explaining: “I know exactly what one you mean and I only wore it because I had just bought in Milan – and that sounds posh but it was only in H&M over there!“I love fashion and clothes, I have always worked in it too. Training and dieting is so regimented and strict and boring that any way to find a bit of fun is important.“Me and my girlfriend can’t eat and drink whatever we like or go wherever we want, there’s so much sacrifice.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut when pressed on whether he wears the same Hollywood clobber back up in Barnsley, he laughs: “Er, I managed to have it on once for about 15 seconds.“It was a cold day and I grabbed it out of the back of the car but my mate saw it and said ‘there’s no way you are wearing that’. So I walked around town freezing.” More

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    Forget Beckham, here’s proof that Gareth Southgate has always been the ultimate fashion icon

    IF there is one thing footie boss Gareth Southgate does well besides managing the England team, it is being a dapper gaffer.He caused waistcoat sales to soar as he led the Three Lions to the World Cup semis in Russia in 2018, then sported a sharp suit and tie for Euro 2020 when England made the final at Wembley.Gareth Southgate is a real fashion iconCredit: PABut the unlikely style icon has since opted for more relaxed polo shirts and cardies, “to put players at ease”.Gareth, 53, told GQ mag: “When you’re working with young lads, you don’t want to be too stiff in what you’re doing or wearing.”Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale takes a look at Gareth’s gear over the years as player then manager . . . 1995Clean-shaven 25-year-old Gareth holds a Union Flag in full Nineties clobberCredit: GettyCELEBRATING in his playing days with a Union Jack flag after his first England call-up in 1995, the then clean-shaven 25-year-old Gareth is in full Nineties clobber.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Aston Villa star was on trend for the time with a Calvin Klein jumper tucked into jeans, worn with a belt.With the average age of today’s England squad about the age he was here, the lads would be curious to check out the cut of his jib.1996In 1996 Southgate rocked this white sweatshirt by Japanese sportswear brand MizunoCredit: GettyTO be fair, there’s no points for fashion flair at the training ground – and Gareth looks more on the ball with his footie than his appearance.Back in the day, the Villa hotshot might just have got away with that white sweatshirt by Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno.Most read in FootballBut he teamed it with three-quarter-length tracksuit bottoms with natty side zips.Maybe best we don’t get too good a look at them here.Inside Gareth Southgate’s love life including secret Tesco car park meetings2006New Middlesbrough manager Gareth is bossing things in his roomy suitCredit: PA:Press AssociationSTARTING his managerial career at Middlesborough, after seeing out his playing career there, Gareth is working hard to look the part.But whatever his skills as an aspiring leader of men, at age 35 he is not bossing things sartorially.He is hardly playing a blinder with the roomy suit, stripey tie and checked blue shirt, although the whistle and flute do sort of match his hair.Time to raise his game.2014While managing the England U-21s Southgate wore an all-blue get-up with brown beltCredit: Getty Images – GettyNOW managing the England Under-21s, and into his forties, our man has a sharper, short haircut and is finally getting somewhere style-wise.The all-blue get-up, with brown belt, is nothing too offensive yet not the most trendy.He was clearly expecting a spot of rain, but the duffle coat on his arm does stray into “dad on a day out with the kids” territory.2018Southgate changed up his style for the 2018 World Cup and boosted sales of waistcoatsCredit: AFP or licensorsGRACING the big stage at the World Cup with a newly suave vibe, this is a total transformation.Our boys suffered semi-final heartbreak in a defeat to Croatia but it took nothing away from the gaffer’s suit.His Marks & Spencer three-piece catapulted him into the hall of football fashion fame.Waistcoat sales and online memes went wild, as brands copied the look.Some hailed it as the male corset, framing a fella’s body.2021A sharp Gareth at the last EurosCredit: GettyTHREE years on from that wondrous waistcoat and Gareth still looks sharp.But he’s done away with the three-piece suit, to keep it simple and not draw too much attention to himself – maybe a lesson learned?The navy suit and pocket square are jazzed up by a polka-dot tie, which was dubbed lucky by some until we lost in the delayed Euros final to Italy.Quite the sophisticate on the side-line is our Gareth.2022 The England coach debuted a knitted polo back in 2022 for the World CupCredit: GettyWHILE Southgate has said this year he is all about thin knits, it seems he has already been wearing the look for two years.Debuting a knitted polo back in 2022 for the World Cup, the £39.50 Merino wool blend zip neck was once again an instant hit with fans.And it seems the 2018 waistcoats may never see the light of day again after he told BBC Radio 4 that he hasn’t worn one sinc2024Gareth wore this posh cream cardy for GQ magTHIS year as England boss Gareth might be trying to fly under the radar with his outfits, but it seems to be having the opposite effect.READ MORE SUN STORIESPosing for GQ mag in a posh cream cashmere cardy, the 53-year-old looks more dapper than ever.Showing cardigans don’t just have to be for the older generation, let’s see if his new laid-back attitude for a younger England squad stands us in good stead for the Euros next month. More

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    I’m a former Man Utd star – now I’m living a new life as a fashion stylist for Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko

    FORMER Manchester United star David Bellion has opened up on his unusual second act after retiring from football.Bellion played under Sir Alex Ferguson at United between 2003 and 2006, making 40 appearances for the Red Devils.David Bellion is a former Manchester United strikerCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe went on to become a fashion stylist after retiringCredit: GettyThe former forward earned a £3million move there after impressing at Sunderland between 2001 and 2003.The Frenchman managed eight goals and three assists during his 40 appearances at United.He went on to play for West Ham, Nice, Bordeaux and Red Star Paris before retiring from football in 2016.It was at Red Star where he began developing his love of art and fashion, and he became the club’s creative director upon retiring – developing the club’s connection with the art world.READ MORE ON MAN UTDIt’s after retiring that he also began working as a fashion stylist, and he’s responsible for many players’ greatest fits.In an interview with French GQ, he spoke about his love of styling and how he has worked with former Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.Chelsea shelled out £40million for Bakayoko in 2017 after he impressed with Monaco, but he failed to capture the form he’d exhibited previously.Moves to AC Milan and Napoli followed before he joined Lorient, where he currently plies his trade.Most read in FootballBellion has styled for the likes of Tiemoue BakayokoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/bakayoko_official14/CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBellion revealed his love of fashion goes back to when he was playing at United, saying: “When I got out of training, I went to stores just to look at the clothes. Sometimes I didn’t buy anything.”I am a great romantic and I embrace it perfectly in my way of seeing things, of speaking to people. I have a bit of a childish side. I don’t have a very developed competitive spirit, more of an obsession with beauty.”Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer windowHe also revealed how deep his love of fashion runs compared to football, saying that appearing in French GQ gives him “as much pleasure as signing for United.”Speaking to SunSport in 2018, Bellion explained his love of art.He said: “I didn’t grow up with a lot of art. I am from a modest family.”But from young I was very, very particular in the things I liked, in everything I wanted to have.”I think I always had a good eye for something that looked different or ‘edgy’. I always wanted the trainers that nobody else had.” More

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    I’m Britain’s second fastest woman and a fashion model with Kate Moss’s ex-agency

    FASHION-LOVING Daryll Neita shines on both the running track and the red carpet after being spotted by Kate Moss’s first modelling agency.Britain’s second-ever fastest woman can casually switch between spikes and stilettos and loves to wear high-end clothes outside of sweaty athletics kit.
    Daryll Neita lives and trains in Italy and recently attended a fashion show in MilanCredit: Instagram / daryllneita
    The British sprinter studied fashion at college and it is one of her hobbiesCredit: 2022 Franziska Krug
    Those who will follow her journey to the start line of the Paris 2024 Olympics should realise she has a real passion away from the day job of running in a straight line.
    Neita, who trains in Padua in Northern Italy, told SunSport: “I studied fashion at college. At the time people were so confused.
    “They were like: ‘Why aren’t you doing sports science?’ But that’s not my interest.
    “I might be good at sports and do it every day but when it comes to being creative or having an outlet, I’m interested in fashion. That has always been my thing.
    “I was signed to Storm Model Management. They’re pretty big. They actually scouted Kate Moss when she was younger.
    “During the off-season, I went to Milan Fashion week. I sat front row for the Missoni show.
    “I’m always doing bits and bobs in the fashion space – and I love it.
    “People always ask me what I’d do if I wasn’t in track and honestly it’d definitely be something in fashion. It’s the other side to me.”
    Most read in Athletics
    Athletes sometimes do ‘walk-ins’ before competitions to showcase their personalities and life outside of track-and-field.
    American Noah Lyles, the reigning 100 metres and 200 metres world champion, is someone who has brought style and fashion to the sport.
    British longer jumper Jazmin Sawyers is a creative soul and likes to design her own clothes ahead of meets.
    Neita, whose fashion idol is Naomi Campbell, said: “It’s important to feel good out there.
    “I don’t see why being a sporty person means you cannot also be cool or fashionable.
    “Yes, running fast is the main thing. But life is also about who you are as a person.
    “I feel people are tapping into their hobbies more and you’re probably seeing that with their fashion.
    “Noah is always dressed in something cool. Always doing the fashion walk-ins.
    “He does ask me sometimes: ‘Are you going to walk before the race?’ Honestly, I don’t think I’m there yet where I’m thinking about my pre-race outfit.
    “Maybe next season you’ll see me in a couple of looks before a race.”
    Neita – who finished fifth in the women’s 200 metres final at last year’s World Athletics Championships – has a PB of 10.90 seconds and 22.16 seconds for the two sprints.
    The Jamaicans and Americans rule the world over these disciplines but Neita, 27, hopes to be in the mix for the medals at this summer’s Olympics.
    Power and strength was built up over the winter in the gym and on the track.
    She has not long returned to Europe after a warm-weather training camp in Stellenbosch, South Africa, which was funded by National Lottery money.
    Neita, 27, who opened her year over 60 metres in Paris last Sunday, added: “I’m on the World-Class Programme. I get supported with things like that training camp.
    “Without it, we would be training in the snow in the UK!

    “The funding helps us in so many different ways. Whether it’s medical or travel or assistance. Even for our mental health.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “I train with people from different nations and they don’t get anything from their federations. And yet they are individual medallists. We are very, very fortunate.”
    National Lottery players have transformed athletics in the UK with more than £300million invested since Lottery funding began. They support elite athletes to win medals on the world stage and have invested in clubs, facilities and programmes across the country to enable more people to take part in the sport. More

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    Phil Foden’s son, 4, signs major modelling deal with fashion brand after gaining four million Instagram followers

    FOOTIE ace Phil Foden’s four-year-old son is already modelling clothes for a fashion store.Little Ronnie, who has four million Instagram followers, has been pictured posing in clobber for the Flannels designer labels retailer.
    Phil Foden’s four-year-old son has started his modelling careerCredit: Instagram
    Ronnie went viral following his celebrations during the 2023 Champions League FinalCredit: Getty
    Ronnie was nicknamed “The Dude” by fans after he played up to the camera while celebrating Man City’s Champions League triumph in June with dad Phil and other stars such as Jack Grealish.
    He has since become the unofficial mascot for the team.
    England international Phil, 23, and his partner Rebecca Cooke, 22, created an Instagram profile for Ronnie for fans charmed by their cheeky little chappie.
    And the boy is now working with Propel Talent Group, a company that claims to manage “the careers of some of the UK’s most sought-after talent”.
    READ MORE ON PHIL FODEN
    Celebrities with more than a million Instagram followers can earn up to £10,000 for each brand plug.
    Speaking about his son’s celebrations, Phil said: “His personality has made him who he is. I think he went quite viral after [we] won the Champions League.”
    Ronnie is not the only son of a Premier League ace to bag a modelling contract.
    Wayne Rooney’s son Kai 14, has fronted a campaign for Puma while Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham have also been used in fashion campaigns.
    Most read in Football More

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    Bukayo Saka, Son and Eze dress to impress in designer clobber as they attend London Fashion Week event

    CALL the Fashion Palace! Eagles hero Eberechi Eze copped the brashest outfit as he joined fellow Prem superstars Bukayo Saka and Son Heung-min at a designer clothes show.Olympic legend Mo Farah was among the other sporting celebrities attending the London Fashion week event.
    Eberechi Eze rocks this red combo at the Burberry ShowCredit: Rex
    Bukayo Saka looked sleek in this all-black outfitCredit: Getty
    Son Heung-min turned up in one of the longest piecesCredit: Getty
    England ace Eze strode with the assurance worthy of a pro modelCredit: PA
    And Eze in a check two-piece – a maroon rollneck top and vivid red trousers.
    Arsenal winger Saka and Tottenham forward Son were more soberly dressed – in black.
    But Son’s coat was certain to grab some attention as it went below his knees.
    Palace midfielder Eze took the spotlight, however.
    READ MORE TOP STORIES
    The Londoner, 25, flashed a smile brighter than his garb as he carried off his look confidently.
    Eze is battling to establish himself in the national squad as firmly as Saka has done.
    And when the Burberry Show went indoors the two Three Lions made it a Big Cats-walk as they watched a parade of the luxury brand’s new offerings.
    Meanwhile, Son beamed in the front row – clearly enjoying a rare chance to relax away from the pressures of the top-flight game.
    Most read in Football
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    All three big-name players have begun the football campaign brilliantly.
    Saka’s unbeaten Gunners are fourth after Sunday’s 1-0 win at Everton.
    Eze’s Palace look solid, while he earned his second England cap as a sub in last Tuesday’s 3-1 friendly win against Scotland at Hampden Park.
    And Son’s return to form has helped Tottenham almost forget Harry Kane’s £100million departure to Bayern Munich as they sit second.
    Zipping it up in fashion, ripping it up on the pitch!
    Olympic legend Mo Farah checked out a more subtle lookCredit: Getty
    Spurs ace Son appeared to love the showCredit: Getty
    Eze was more earnest indoors after his grinning display outsideCredit: Getty More

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    Michael Owen teams up with fashion company Peacocks for his very own clothing range as fans joke ‘it’s beyond Partridge’

    FANS labelled Michael Owen “beyond Partridge” as they cringed at the England legend fronting a new fashion range from Peacocks.Observers couldn’t keep it zipped when they saw the striker-turned-pundit promoting the conservative clothing.

    Michael Owen has amused fans with his latest ventureCredit: Getty

    One harsh fan joked: “A rare perfect brand/personality match.”
    READ MOE TOP STORIES
    Another said: “Oh my God. The horror of mundanity.”
    Broadcaster Alan Partridge, played by Steve Coogan, was famous for cheesy lines and dodgy fashionCredit: Getty – Contributor
    The former Liverpool hero posed and pouted in a range of safe, neutral colours, as well as heading and kicking a ball in some clips.
    But more than one fan compared him to comic character Alan Partridge, a tacky broadcaster who preened around in “sports casual” clothing.
     “It’s beyond Partridge,” claimed one viewer of the Peacocks adverts, and “So Partridge,” said another.
    Most read in Football
    To be fair to the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid man, Peacocks might be partly to blame as some fans thought it was cheesy to label the range “as seen on Michael Owen”.
    One verdict in particular could make the 43-year-old equally shirty – this time a comparison with a genuine presenter aged 66.
    That observer said of Owen: “He’s slowly morphing into Richard Keys.”
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    He was also damned with the faintest of praise.
    One fan argued: It’s just the most perfect Owen inspired colour palette you’ve ever seen. Shame there isn’t an actual beige though.” More

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    I played for England but quit football for fashion – My label made £6.6m last year and I’m on the Rich List worth £88m

    FOOTBALLER, Reece Wabara, hung up his boots in 2017 to launch his own fashion label – and now he is worth £88million.The former Man City right-back felt uninspired by his footie career and decided to kickstart his profitable side hustle.
    Reece left football for fashion and is now on the Times Young Rich ListCredit: Free for editorial use
    The company is now estimated to be worth £100 million and Reece pockets 83 per cent of the sharesCredit: The Times
    After his contract with Man City ended by mutual consent in 2014, Wabara jumped into entrepreneurship with both feet.
    Following former school mate Lewis Morgan, who co-founded Gym Shark, the then 22-year-old launched and invested £15,000 into Maniere De Voir.
    He told previously said: “I kept asking, where can I maximise my potential to be great.
    “I always had a way of dressing that was different and Lewis (Morgan, co-founder of Gymshark) said to me, ‘You should do something in fashion’.”

    Despite a rocky start, profits today have doubled to £6.6 million from last year and Oxford Street, London will soon welcome Wabara’s first store.
    Sport icons including Anthony Joshua and Raheem Sterling have donned apparel from the brand,
    And Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards is also reportedly a supporter.
    ‘FOOTBALLER TO FASHION’
    Man City recruited Reece when he was 16 and by 19 he had been offered a three-year £1million-per-year deal.
    Most read in Football
    But this was ended in 2014 and the young player struggled to regain a place in a first team.
    He bounced around on loan to various clubs including Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.
    By 2017, the 26-year-old decided the only pitch he wanted in his life was in the fashion board room.
    He previously said he “knew my football days at City were coming to an end” and his dad encouraged him to find another source of income.
    “The transition from footballer to fashion owner was a gradual one and only when the numbers and politics in football started to eat away at me did I need to make a choice,” he told Sports On Screen.
    “My football wasn’t progressing in the way I intended it to.
    “The business was progressing at an alarming rate and I had to choose one or the other because focus is important.”
    And focus he did, working seven days a week around the clock to get his business on its feet.
    In a genius business plan move, the young entrepreneur designed and produced more women’s clothing in Maniere De Voir.
    “Men are very simple by nature,” he said.
    “There’s only so much you can do with those silhouettes.
    “Whereas women are more experimental – and they shop a lot more, typically.”
    The inclusion of women’s clothes massively helped boost sales and Manière de Voir’s biggest-selling lines include £100 high-waisted cargo pants and £90 vegan leather corsets.
    Much of the range is designed by Reece himself, including £30 T-shirts and more expensive £90 tracksuits.
    From his first year turnover of £1million, some seven years later he was raking in £30.2million.
    Talking about his success sky-rocketing overnight, he said: “I was super-naïve, so I just thought that was normal.”
    “My football wasn’t progressing in the way I intended it to, the business was progressing at an alarming rate and I had to choose one or the other because focus is important.”Reece Wabara
    Reece landed himself a spot on the Sunday Times Young Rich List – above footballer Marcus Rashford and level with rapper Stormzy’s net worth.
    Yet Wabara, now 31, still told The Times he often feels like a “failure” because his dreams of becoming a successful footballer were shattered so quickly.
    He said: “I honestly don’t feel I’ve achieved that much.
    “I honestly feel like I’m just getting started.”
    This year’s Times Young Rich List includes four other people who attended South Bromsgrove High School.
    Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan, who founded athletic wear giant Gym Shark.
    Another successful gym wear brand for women, Aybl, now worth 10s of millions, was created by Reiss and Kris Edgerton.
    At 30 and 29, the brothers opened up about the fact they used to brainstorm ideas on Skype with the UK’s youngest billionaire.
    They spoke about their rise to success – from feeling lost after leaving their studying plans behind, and making a mere £150 a week.
    But it doesn’t appear teachers at the school were the source of Reece’s inspiration.
    “No — I can’t even remember their names,” he joked.
    The Manchester-based company is now estimated to be worth £100 million and Reece pockets 83 per cent of the shares.
    KEY TO SUCCESS
    The fashion designer believes taking the time to create a sustainable approach is key to making his fortune.
    The 31-year-old highlighted the balance between being brave enough to take the risk but smart enough to keep within your financial means.
    He said he has borrowed limited money and even paid himself an annual salary below what his footballer pals would earn in a week.
    He said: “Grow slowly, target sustained profit over short-lived accelerated revenue and always focus on your customers, not your competitors.
    “Don’t let monetary success create complacency or make you think you are untouchable.”
    Read More on The Sun
    He advised keeping the company of people who will be honest with you and try to stay out of the limelight.
    When asked if he thinks his brand will take him to the main Sunday Times Rich List, he said: “Let’s see, I’ll do the best I can and see where it lands me.”
    Reece landed himself a spot on the Sunday Times Young Rich ListCredit: Instagram
    The fashion designer believes taking the time to create a sustainable approach is key to making his fortuneCredit: Instagram
    Man City recruited Reece when he was 16 and by 19 he had been offered a three-year £1million-per-year dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But this was ended in 2014 and the young player struggled to regain a place in a first teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty More