From squash player to sportswear giant: Mike Ashley’s colourful retail career

Mike Ashley is stepping down from Frasers Group board, but Sports Direct founder leaves lasting legacy

Mike Ashley to step down from Frasers Group board

Mike Ashley's retreat from the public face of the business he founded is a return to form for the reclusive retailer.

Before his group, then called Sports Direct, floated on the stock exchange in 2007, the only pictures of Ashley available were those from his days as a county squash player back in the 1970s.