Trainer collector from Woking turns his passion into a career
A man who has collected nearly 1,000 pairs of trainers said his love of sports shoes has helped him make a career.Morgan Weekes, from Woking, Surrey, bought his first pair when his mother sent him to buy a pair of school shoes but he spent the money on trainers instead."I obviously got told off greatly when I got home" he told BBC Radio Surrey, "but that started the fascination with sport footwear."He now runs a business dedicated to collectible trainers, and has appeared as an expert on BBC TV's Antiques Roadshow.
He said the trade in collectible shoes has taken off in the last decade."Trainers how we would know them today came about in the 80s" he said, "but even as close as 2012 we've seen huge leaps in popularity, with people not just collecting trainers, but actually selling them and creating whole businesses off the back of it."I was on Antiques Roadshow as one of their experts, so I had to showcase some of my collection, some of the more high value and harder to find pairs."That was great, to share my passion and interest with such a wide audience."
Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, he said he struggled at school, but turned his passion into a profession."We tend to go a bit of a different route with our careers and it really helps if there's something you love and you can focus on," he said."I started out running footwear events for people to buy and sell shoes and that led to a job consulting for brands, talking about upcoming trends and archiving and documenting footwear."I cover everything from old shoes, boat shoes, and the latest performance footwear."
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Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Antiques Roadshow guest barely reacts at true value of Wimbledon trophy
An Antiques Roadshow expert shared an unexpected personal connection to a guest's "exceptional" trophy. WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow. An Antiques Roadshow guest brought along his grandfather's remarkable Wimbledon memorabilia, estimated to fetch a handsome sum. Jon Baddley was the expert in charge who encountered a man bearing historic mementos from a former Wimbledon sensation amidst another shoot for the BBC favourite. Spotting Norman Brooks in a framed picture, dubbed "the father of Australian tennis", the expert enquired about the man's connection with him. "He's my grandfather. In his tennis career, he won many, many events but he won Wimbledon in 1907, being the first foreigner to win Wimbledon which was considered a mammoth effort because the British weren't going to let it go easily." Norman Brooks wasn't just a one-time victor though as he took victory at the prestigious international contest again seven years later in 1914. "We believe this trophy and the 1914 are the only full size replicas in existence", he said. "Other than that, everyone else has only got miniatures. I think that was borne out due to the fact they never expected to lose in 1907, so they just made another one, as it were." The guest then noted a period where no other players outside Britain had won: "Then from there to 1914, there was no one outside Britain that won it. "Even Tony Wilding, who was a New Zealander, he lived in Britain, right? So he got a miniature. "But grandfather got, we believe, the only two full sized replicas and even when we inquired at Wimbledon, they didn't even know." Baddley interjected: "Which makes it exceptional, because I have to say, when I initially saw it, I just thought 'Well somebody's stolen it, [and] bought it over here. But exceptionally rare. Yes." He then queried if his grandfather had also clinched the 1907 doubles, to which the guest confirmed: "Yes, he won the doubles in 1907 which was the maiden year as they say, from the point of view that he was the first man to win it but he won the singles and the doubles, which was quite staggering really." Baddley proceeded to evaluate the impressive collection, stating: "Purely in financial terms, I would have thought the doubles jug is going to be worth, to a collector, let's put it that way, well in excess of $20,000 or £8,000." Examining a worn racket, the expert enquired if it was the one used in one of the championships, but the guest confessed uncertainty. "But certainly used by him, it's probably $5,000 or £2,000," Baddley estimated. The moment arrived to assess the centrepiece, the renowned Wimbledon trophy replica. Baddley declared: "But what's this worth? I mean, only one other replica known, which you also own, and obviously the original is at Wimbledon, but a massively important trophy to tennis enthusiasts. "It's difficult to come up with a price but I think at auction, you're talking about a figure well in excess of $75,000 or £30,000. So a fantastic piece." The guest, unfazed by the whopping estimate, solemnly stated: "I believe grandfather believed these belong to Australia, not an individual." When Baddley mooted the idea of donating it to a sporting museum, the guest expressed his agreement and preference. In a personal twist, the expert revealed his own familial ties to the trophy: "I also have a personal interest in this, because, I don't know if you have noticed but, if I can pick it up here, on the side there is 1893. W Bradley, Wilfrey Bradley. "Well my name's John Badley. And he's a distant relation of mine.", he disclosed, connecting him to the artefact's history. Upon hearing this, the guest exclaimed: "How wonderful." Baddley, embracing the moment, quipped: "So I hope you don't mind if I give it a quick kiss", affectionately pecking the coveted award to the guest's merriment. Then, embracing Wimbledon tradition, Badley hoisted the trophy aloft as he announced: "And then I do the classic", earning applause from spectators. To which the guest beamed: "That's wonderful Jon", before Baddley humorously hinted: "I'll take it with me now", playfully pretending to abscond with the prestigious trophy, eliciting laughter all around.
Edinburgh Live
30-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Antiques Roadshow expert jokingly walks off with Wimbledon trophy after unveiling personal link
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow. An Antiques Roadshow guest proudly shared his grandfather's historic achievements with his Wimbledon collection worth thousands. Crowds gathered during another filming segment of the BBC daytime series with expert Jon Baddley meeting with a guest and his array of impressive items from a former Wimbledon champion. Referring to the man in a framed photograph as Norman Brooks, 'the father of Australian tennis', the expert questioned how he knew him. The guest explained: 'He's my grandfather. In his tennis career, he won many, many events but he won Wimbledon in 1907, being the first foreigner to win Wimbledon which was considered a mammoth effort because the British weren't going to let it go easily.' This wasn't the only time Brooks had won the international competition either as Brooks took the trophy home for a second time in 1914. He continued: 'We believe this trophy and the 1914 are the only full size replicas in existence. 'Other than that, everyone else has only got miniatures.' (Image: BBC) 'I think that was borne out due to the fact they never expected to lose in 1907, so they just made another one, as it were. 'Then from there to 1914, there was no one outside Britain that won it. 'Even Tony Wilding, who was a New Zealander, he lived in Britain, right? So he got a miniature. 'But grandfather got, we believe, the only two full sized replicas and even when we inquired at Wimbledon, they didn't even know.' Baddley chipped in: 'Which makes it exceptional, because I have to say, when I initially saw it, I just thought 'Well somebody's stolen it, [and] bought it over here. But exceptionally rare. Yes.' He then asked if his grandfather won the 1907 doubles as well, to which the guest replied: 'Yes, he won the doubles in 1907 which was the maiden year as they say, from the point of view that he was the first man to win it but he won the singles and the doubles, which was quite staggering really.' Baddley then began to appraise the fascination collection, elaborating: 'Purely in financial terms, I would have thought the doubles jug is going to be worth, to a collector, let's put it that way, well in excess of $20,000 or £8,000.' Turning his attention to a beaten up racket, the expert asked if this was the one he used during one of the championships but the guest candidly admitted that he wasn't sure. 'But certainly used by him, it's probably $5,000 or £2,000," Baddley said. It was then time to value the main item on the table, the iconic Wimbledon trophy replica. Baddley said: 'But what's this worth? I mean, only one other replica known, which you also own, and obviously the original is at Wimbledon, but a massively important trophy to tennis enthusiasts. (Image: BBC) 'It's difficult to come up with a price but I think at auction, you're talking about a figure well in excess of $75,000 or £30,000. So a fantastic piece.' The guest doesn't react to the astonishing figures, instead stating: 'I believe grandfather believed these belong to Australia, not an individual.' Baddley suggests a sporting museum which the guest said he would like to do. But in an unexpected moment, the expert shared that he too has a connection to the trophy. He shared: 'I also have a personal interest in this, because, I don't know if you have noticed but, if I can pick it up here, on the side there is 1893. W Bradley, Wilfrey Bradley. 'Well my name's John Badley. And he's a distant relation of mine.' With a smile, the guest remarked: 'How wonderful.' Baddley then cheekily stated: 'So I hope you don't mind if I give it a quick kiss', as he kissed the trophy with the guest laughing. The expert then triumphantly lifted the trophy over his head in true Wimbledon fashion as he said: 'And then I do the classic', with onlookers applauding him. 'That's wonderful Jon', the guest smiled before Baddley quipped: 'I'll take it with me now', pretending to run off with the iconic trophy, much to everyone's amusement. Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Telegraph
BBC took cowardly approach to snooker's Chinese betting scandal
They could barely stop talking about Ronnie O'Sullivan changing his tip, but when it came to tips of a different nature they were strangely subdued. Or then, perhaps not. In opting for the more muted version of the Zhao Xintong betting ban, the BBC's television crew simply remained loyal to its age-old safety game. Ban? What ban? What elephant stomping around the Crucible? Of course nobody expected the controversy to lead the Beeb's output on Sunday and it would plainly have been insensitive if Rob Walker had referenced Zhao's recent past when announcing the protagonists into the arena. And what an introduction it was from the increasingly excitable compere, who no doubt punches the air whenever his eggs are done properly. However, to all but ignore the issue and sweep it under the table where the rests, extensions, covers and the other dusty skeletons reside? Shameless. And cowardly. Granted, there is the bigger picture of what a Zhao victory would mean for snooker, with an estimated 150 million Chinese tuning in. If darts has Luke Littler, snooker has no country larger. Yet in terms of his personal story, Zhao's enforced 20-month absence from the sport is surely central and, no, it does not have to be reflected purely through a negative prism. There will be those who believe he has served his time and feel inspired that he has launched such a rousing comeback since being accepted back onto the baize only in September. And there will be others who will think he should have received more severe sanctions and wonder how he can be competing on the world stage at a time when he is still not in good standing in his own country. No matter, which side you are on. These are resonant talking points and should be confronted. Whether it was a command from up high or not, BBC TV essentially took the yellow-spined route. There were brief mentions before the last day. Alas, no segments. Credit to Rishi Persad, the BBC's ever-professional interviewer, who quizzed Barry Hearn, the majority shareholder of World Snooker Ltd, about what he called the Zhao's 'transgressions'. Hearn mumbled something about the 28-year-old making 'a genuine mistake' and the 'slate now being clean'. And that was that. Onwards. Except it should not have been, certainly not for the BBC. What made the corporation's apparent television policy all the more baffling, if not infuriating, was that on its website it posted an article that did not shy away from the scandal. Anything but. It even quoted a journalist claiming that a Zhao win on Bank Holiday Monday would be bad for the game. 'I've found the flowery language since his return somewhat befuddling given the circumstances,' Nick Metcalfe said. 'It honestly feels at times like praise has taken the place of scrutiny. Coming so soon after the ban, some of the headlines [concerning a Zhao win] might well be the last thing the sport needs.' Disagree? Fine. But it cannot be denied this was ballsy stuff for the host channel to publish and we should pray that this apparent editorial disconnect between TV and the internet is broached in the BBC Sport overhaul currently taking place in the background. This is reality. This is not The Lego Movie ('Everything is awesome when you are part of a team'). And there is absolutely no need for the BBC to sugar-coat anything, regardless of any paranoia about ongoing contracts. It has the biggest platform of all and with such instances is doing its viewers and its own reputation a disservice. Not to say that other broadcasters are not similarly weak. A memory persists of a Sky presenter conducting an interview with Rory McIlroy, during which he kept the inquisition to birdies and bogeys. At its conclusion, and with the microphone turned off, he said to McIlroy: 'Thanks, I'll now pass you over to these guys who want to ask about your private life.' This was the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2014. Earlier that week it had been revealed that McIlroy had called off marrying tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki – after the invitations had been sent out. He was plainly emotional yet somehow put aside this mental anguish to prevail that Sunday on the West Course. It was a remarkable achievement and the split was obviously key in the narrative as was the acknowledgement of the inner turmoil he had to conquer. And we were supposed to shut our eyes and block our ears? The point is that in their desperation not to offend the talent, TV luvvies forget that these are people, not machines. They are humans with fallibilities and it really is OK to reference these in the context of competition. In fact, that is the job. Instead, we were forced to listen to a BBC veteran telling us that Zhao's feat was notable due to his 'time away from the game'. We are not children whose father has just been sent down and our mother is informing us he's gone off to spend a few years on the oil rigs. We are grown-ups who deserve to be informed. Because information is good, especially in such a complex case as that of Zhao. I am in the camp which believes his 'crimes' were relatively minor – he never fixed matches and was only party to frames and games being thrown – and admire the manner in which has restarted his career. Say it loud and say it proud. Redemption can be the most irresistible storyline. And transparency is paramount.
