At the tender age of 11, Peter Johnson embarked on a journey that would eventually evolve into a flourishing multi-million-pound enterprise. His adventure began at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, where he eagerly collected autographs from players post-match. By the time England celebrated their Rugby World Cup victory in 2003, Johnson was traversing the UK with his parents, amassing signatures from famous personalities. His passion even led him to travel halfway across the globe to secure autographs from cricket legends Freddie Flintoff and Shane Warne during the Ashes series.
As a teenager, Johnson listed these autographed items on eBay, earning pocket money from his bedroom. Fast forward to today, at 29, he operates a successful business dealing in exclusive signed memorabilia, boasting an annual turnover exceeding £1 million. His enterprise, supported by a team of six, is now one of the UK’s leading retailers of sports autographs. Notable sales include a pair of signed Muhammad Ali gloves for £610,000 and a signed Cristiano Ronaldo shirt for £8,000.
Johnson, who hails from Worcester, expressed the unique allure of collecting memorabilia. “There’s something truly special about it,” he explained. “While some of our rare, high-priced pieces end up in the world’s most exclusive collections, other signed items are cherished as Christmas or birthday gifts. Owning one of these items could mean sitting on a goldmine!” Each piece in his collection captures a significant moment in a sports star’s or team’s career, creating an emotional connection with fans.
From Humble Beginnings to a Global Enterprise
Johnson’s company, Firma Stella Sports, boasts a stock of 10,000 autographed sports memorabilia items, ranging from shirts and caps to boots, programs, and flags. His team scours the globe, from New York to Sydney, in search of hidden treasures. Every item comes with photographic proof of the star signing it, a certificate of authenticity, and a 100% lifetime guarantee. Prices vary from £9.99 for a signed photo to £24,999.99 for a unique match-worn England test shirt.
Chasing Signatures Worldwide
Icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Lewis Hamilton MBE, Harry Kane MBE, and Ben Stokes OBE are among the most coveted signatures. From the age of 18, Johnson frequently traveled the world, attending prestigious sporting events like the US Tennis Open and championship golf in Abu Dhabi, in pursuit of autographs. “It wasn’t easy,” he admitted. “It required a lot of research on players’ whereabouts, sneaking around hotels and training complexes, and a fair amount of stalking!”
Johnson’s dedication led him to secure signatures from Messi, Neymar, and other FC Barcelona players by tracking their travel schedules. On one occasion, he booked random flights to access the same departure gates as the players. His detective skills also helped him track down Michael Schumacher in Kuala Lumpur after an F1 race, waiting outside his hotel all day for the opportunity to obtain the superstar’s autograph. Johnson even shared a lift with Ronaldo after Real Madrid arrived in Manchester for a Champions League match.
A Passion Turned Lucrative
Johnson’s passion for collecting autographs began at nine when he watched matches at Worcestershire County Cricket Club. By 11, inspired by England’s Rugby World Cup victory, he started collecting signatures from players at Worcester Warriors Rugby Club. Among his most valuable sales are a match-worn rugby jersey signed by an England 2003 World Cup-winning player and a signed England World Cup Champions 1966 shirt, each fetching £10,000.
