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5 unusual facts about JJB Sports


2006–07 Leicester City F.C. season

Leicester City's kit was manufactured by English sports retailer JJB Sports and sponsored by Narborough-based bank Alliance & Leicester.

2012–13 Irish Cup

The cup was sponsored by JJB Sports until October 2012, when the company went into administration.

Chris Ronnie

Christopher "Chris" Ronnie was chief executive officer of JJB Sports from June 2007 to March 2009, when he was fired for failing to disclose the sale of his stake in the company within the required four days.

Jack Sharp

He started a sports shop in Whitechapel Liverpool, which existed until the 1980s before being taken over by JJB Sports and later closed.

JJB Sports

The original JJB sportshop was founded in the early 1900s and expanded in 1971, when ex-footballer and supermarket chain operator Dave Whelan acquired a single sports shop in Wigan and immediately opened a second sports goods outlet in his Sutton, St Helens, supermarket.


DW Sports Fitness

Founded in March 2009 when Dave Whelan purchased the 50 JJB Sports Fitness Clubs and the attached retail stores for £83.4 million.

Halton Lea

Since then the centre has grown to include an outdoor mall named the Trident Retail Park, which hosts many big name shops such as Currys, JJB Sports, Blockbuster, TK Maxx and Fitness First.

Poole's Pies

Founded by Margaret Poole in 1847, it was later bought by Dave Whelan, the owner of JJB Sports and chairman of Wigan Athletic F.C.


see also