Sports Direct wants seat on Findel board

SPORTS Direct,  the retail heavyweight, has called for a shareholders meeting at home shopping and e-commerce group Findel, so one of its representatives can be appointed to the board.

Hyde-based Findel, the owner of Kitbag  the replica football strip retailer, has confirming the request, which Sports Direct can make as it has a holding of more than 5% in the company.

Sports Direct, built up by entrepreneur Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United FC, took a 19% stake in Findel in late September, in a move which prompted speculation that Sports Direct wants to stop Findel’s propoed sale of Kitbag.

Chadderton-based Kitbag runs online stores and retail operations for leading football clubs and sports associations. It was marketed for sale by KPMG last year, but Findel then decided to keep it.

Then, in a further twist it revealed in September that an un-named overseas buyer had agreed a deal for the loss-making business led by former Manchester United executve Andy Anson.

In a brief statement, Findel said Sports Direct wants Benjamin Gardener to be appointed to the board.

It added: “The board will write to shareholders in due course to convene the general meeting and, as required, to set out the board’s views and recommendation.”