An entity fully owned by Sports Direct International (SDI), Lovell Sports, has invested in the British field hockey and cricket market by buying a specialist retailer out of bankruptcy proceedings. It purchased Barrington Sports, which is described on its website as a retail partner for Lord's Cricket Ground, England Cricket, England Hockey and England Netball. The Sunday Telegraph spotted filings showing that Lovell bought Northgame Limited, which trades under the name of Barrington Sports. It was purchased for £261,000 (€294,000-$344,000) in May, and the buyer also paid a license of £80,000 (€90,000-$105,000) to occupy the firm's premises. The retailer's creditors included the guardian of the rules of cricket, the Marylebone Cricket Club, as well as the England and Wales Cricket Board, England Hockey and the All England Netball Association. The report from FRP Advisory, the firm dealing with the bankruptcy proceedings, indicates that Barrington owes £1.6 million (€1.8m-$2.1m) to unsecured creditors. It was apparently in trouble due to adverse exchange rate changes, significant investment in the digital market and tough trading conditions in the first quarter, which all impacted cash flow. Barrington was established in 1982 by Barry Dolby in Goostrey, Cheshire. It continues to trade from its site at the Parkgate Industrial Estate in Knutsford.

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