One of English rugby's top players, Tom Curry has signed a licensing deal with Worcester based, sports memorabilia company Firma Stella. Curry, who made his mark during 2019's rugby world cup struck the deal during lockdown in January.
Curry, who plays for Sale Sharks made his professional debut during the European Champions Cup against Scarlets in 2016 at the age of 18, becoming the fourth youngest player (and the youngest ever Sale Sharks player) to take part in the competition. Having played in the U18 and U20 England squads, he was called up to the seniors in 2017 against Barbarians for the summer tour of Argentina, becoming the youngest England forward since 1912.
Speaking of the deal with the prodigious player, Firma Stella's CEO Peter Johnson said:
“I'm thrilled to have Tom on board. It was an incredible moment for us, in time for the Six Nations, and to sign one of England's brightest talents is hugely exciting. The collaboration meant that he could sign a full range of exclusive items for us, including a brand new England 150th special edition rugby shirt, special edition number 6 England jerseys, new Umbro England six national shirts, rugby balls, boots, photo displays, training tops and anthem jackets”.
Johnson had organised a signing session at a prime Manchester hotel with a photographer and videographer to record the moment, but as with many other events it had to be cancelled due to the current lockdown restriction. Johnson said: “In the end Tom had to sign in private. Apart from the COVID-19 restrictions, with his current training regime due to kick in for the Six Nations, he simply couldn't risk it”.
Johnson, who used to play rugby to a good standard as a teenager set up Firma Stella in 2010 with the goal of becoming the world champion of signed sports memorabilia. “l love sports, travelling & entrepreneurship. Firma Stella was born out of my passions. l used to travel all round the world to various sports events collecting signatures. From the cycling in Oman, Formula 1 in Melbourne & Kuala Lumpur, The Ashes in Australia, soccer games in the USA, rugby in Paris, golf in Abu Dhabi to Tennis in Madrid”, he said.
Speaking about the growing craze for signed sports items Johnson explained, “it reminds fans off a time when a player or team did something really special. Memorabilia takes people back, forming an emotional connection to an item. l remember when England won the rugby world cup in 2003. l collected many items from that event as it reminded me of that success and connected me to the moment and that feeling when they won.”
The full range of Tom Curry exclusively signed memorabilia is now on sale on the company's website along with a huge collection of 100% authentic memorabilia from the world of football, rugby, cricket and beyond.
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