Rubbing shoulders with Premiership footballers, soap stars and golfers is all in a day's work for James Ferguson.

For the Bradford businessman specialises in selling cars to the rich and famous.

And when it comes to making new contacts with footballers, his company - Premier Vehicles Ltd - has a distinct advantage thanks to his business partner, former Leeds United and England star Tony Dorigo.

Bradford City's clash with Derby County gave Baildon-based Mr Ferguson and his partner a chance to discuss business face to face.

For while Mr Ferguson operates from his home in Baildon, the Derby County defender runs his end of the business from Knutsford, Cheshire, where he now lives.

Mr Ferguson has sold cars to more than 30 footballers, including Premiership stars Dean Saunders and David Wetherall, of Bradford City, as well as Leeds United's Lucas Radebe and Lee Bowyer.

Former Emmerdale star Paul Loughran, who played Butch Dingle, has bought a £30,000 car from Mr Ferguson and other clients have included a golfer, a nightclub owner and other businessmen.

Mr Ferguson, 35, who lives with his girlfriend Tara McBride and is a long-standing Leeds fan, said: "I'd worked in dealerships most of my life and sold Tony Dorigo a BMW about eight years ago. I was at BMW in Leeds and he was with Leeds United and we became friends.

"I'd decided to go into business myself and we set up Premier Vehicles a few months ago. With our shared contacts, the business is going forward in leaps and bounds.

"Most of our cars are supplied direct from Germany - Tony's Derby colleague Stefan Schnoor helped us with some contacts out there.

"We mainly deal in Mercedes, BMWs, Audis and Porsches, although we'll sell anything and everything and show everyone the same respect whether they're spending £5,000 or are a Premiership footballer buying a £100,000 car.

"We very rarely advertise and get a lot of business from word of mouth.''

Tony said: "I bought a car from James eight years ago and then recommended him to other players.

"We kept in contact and got together when he decided to go into business for himself.

"Cars for footballers is a bit of a niche market but I think I understand what the players are after. I've got the contacts and I do like my cars myself so it seemed the ideal thing to go into.

"And I enjoy doing it - it keeps me in touch with the boys.''

Mr Ferguson is organising a charity boxing event - featuring three professional bouts as well as an auction and raffle - at Bradford's Hilton Hotel on May 15 to raise money for the families of Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus, the Leeds fans killed in Istanbul.

The event is expected to be attended by players from Bradford City, Leeds United and Manchester United. Mr Ferguson is asking would-be sponsors, anyone wanting to donate items for the raffle or auction and those wanting to book a table to contact him on (01274) 596765 or 0973 542923.

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