Sports tycoon Mike Ashley, 49, left grammar school at 16 to play county level squash, but an injury turned him from athlete to businessman. The Sports Direct founder and Newcastle United owner set up a sports and ski shop in Maidenhead, Berkshire - by the 1990s he had expanded to more than 100 outlets. Mr Ashley made his money by buying struggling sports brands Donnay, Dunlop and Slazenger.