Ashley shrugs off stock concerns

SPORTS World billionaire Mike Ashley has labelled investors dismayed by the plunging share price of the business since its February float as “cry-babies” in an interview yesterday.

Mr Ashley netted £929 million (€1.34bn) by floating a 43% stake in Sports Direct International, which includes Lillywhites and brands such as Dunlop alongside Sports World, but the company’s shares have halved amid accusations of poor relations with the City.

But the tycoon told the Sunday Times newspaper: “I’ve got balls of steel. Some investors have been great and have been very supportive. But some of these City people act like a bunch of cry babies.