Shrewsbury Town striker Marvin swaps pitch for catwalk

Star Shrewsbury Town striker Marvin Morgan is swapping the penalty box for the catwalk after creating his own fashion line.

The former Aldershot frontman's journey from footballing star to catwalk designer began around two-and-a-half years ago while he was playing for the League Two club.

Now the 28-year-old – who moved to Shrewsbury on a free transfer in the summer – hopes his career designing T-shirts and caps under the label Fresh Ego Kid will run hand in hand with his day job.

"Boredom was my motivation," he says. "I just got home from a session one day and sat in front of the computer. I was so bored. I was fed up with spending money on clothes, fed up with shopping, fed up with playing computer games."

Despite having no experience of graphic design, Marvin created the logo for his new brand. "It was as simple as that," he says.

"As footballers, we finish at 1pm. That's it. Once we've finished training, there's nothing at all to do. I decided to do this."

He officially started trading on Saturday and, in just half a week, has been rushed off his feet.

"The designs are all my own," he says. "But I already need to be working on next year's."

Marvin said: "I want to learn more about business because footballer's careers are short. But I just hate the boredom footballers have in the afternoons."

Marvin hopes his brand will soon be stocked in High Street stores like JD Sports.

But doesn't all of the talk of spring seasons and new designs take Marvin's eye off the ball?

"No, not at all," says the 6ft 5ins striker. "A lot of the lads have families and kids, so they spend time with them in the afternoon.

"I don't, so I spend time on the label. If anything, it helps me to perform better on the pitch."

And Marvin has the backing of Town team-mates. Australian defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff says: "The Fresh Ego Kid designs are very cool. It's quality gear, we're impressed Marvin's had the determination to give it a go."

Midfielder Nicky Wroe has started wearing the T-shirts with pride, his favourite being a 'barcode' design. "It's great that he's decided to launch his own fashion line. All the lads are supporting him."

Fellow midfielder Lionel Ainsworth is also a fan. "We're hoping that the fans will take to it and start wearing the kit, we're hoping to see a few of the T-shirts in the stands."