WHEN footballer Ryan Burge took a break from playing the game, he could never have predicted he'd be cutting deals with American rock band Pearl Jam.
After stepping away from Newport in 2014, the Cheltenham-born midfielder decided to take almost two years off.
His decision was inspired by wanting to give his body a rest after a series of cruel injuries had hindered his progress.
But during his hiatus, ambitious Burge, 25, discovered something else.
In 2016, he set up Ten Club London, originally as a clothing brand for men and women, to curb his boredom as he plotted what he wanted to do next with his life.
The fashion label ended up becoming a success and soon other footballers, Love Island contestants and Geordie Shore stars were seen wearing his clobber.
However, last month his success story took another exciting twist when he received a call from lawyers representing the 90s grunge group from Seattle.
They were keen on buying the naming rights to Burge's website and wanted to negotiate a deal.
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Burge and the rockers negotiated a package that has given the former Port Vale star a financial platform to build his brand.
Pearl Jam's seminal album is called 'Ten' and their fans' group are called Ten Club.
That's why they were inspired to deal with Burge, he explained.
"They have an album called 'Ten' and their lawyers contacted me through an email.
"A rep of theirs said they liked the name, they found my website and said they've got a fan club called Ten Club, so it would be of massive interest to them.
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"They actually have a massive fan base in London, I know that because their lawyer was telling me he was a Pearl Jam fan and he couldn't get a ticket for a sold out show at The O2 Arena.
"They didn't tell me much, but said they wanted to do something in London and were interested in acquiring the name."
At first, Ryan admitted he was a bit reluctant.
In the end, he decided it was for the best and would allow him the freedom to change his company's focus.
"To start with, I said I wasn't interested in selling it," he confessed.
"Then, the more I thought about it, people could get the wrong idea and think I was just a nightclub.
"Instead, maybe calling it Ten London sounded a bit cleaner.
"So I said to them I was willing to sell Ten Club London, if they'd let me register the trademark of Ten London, which they said was fine.
Burge revealed he didn't get a chance to deal with singer Eddie Vedder and Co. personally.
However, his younger brother had heard of the band and told Burge how big they were.
"My younger brother knew of them, so I realised they were quite a big deal when they contacted me," he admitted.
Burge remained coy on the figure he received from the corporate conglomerate, but said he got a very good deal.
"I asked for more to start with," he told us.
"I thought their valuation was very low to start with, so I went in high. Then we met somewhere in the middle.
"But I think it was fair. Could I have got more? Probably.
"However, I was happy to go along with the deal."
And being interested in business and making money is exactly what got Ryan into launching his company in the first place.
"Even when I was a young kid playing football, I've always been interested in turning a pound into two pounds.
"I enjoyed the idea of being a salesman. I used to sell bits here and there for friends, things like designer clothes.
"I was at a mate's house one night and just thought I should do something and the name Ten Club London just hit me.
"I didn't sit down and say I wanted to start a clothing brand, which I think a lot of people do and then come up with the name.
"I sat down, drew the logo I thought would work and contacted a graphic designer.
"I had it clear in my mind what I wanted it to look like and I showed my teammates and family members and they said it looked great."
Stumbling upon the idea of Ten Club London, Burge realised that he soon needed a website to sell his clothes.
He also had to get a basic understanding of how the fashion industry worked.
"I didn't know anything about websites.
"It was completely a foreign language to me, so I contacted a web designer, I put a message on my LinkedIn and asked anyone I knew for contacts.
"I knew absolutely nothing about running a business, all I ever knew was playing football.
"Through LinkedIn, I found a contact from someone who worked in the clothing industry.
"I networked, went to a few meetings and gradually found out more about the industry itself.
"I found out what were good materials, what weren't, where to source them and built some great contacts."
Ten Club London enjoyed success in the celebrity market too, kitting out stars including James Tindale from Geordie Shore and Scott Thomas from Love Island.
Burge revealed: "It's really good to get that celebrity support. It really helps put us on the map as a fashion brand."
And now, the entrepreneur wants to take his business one step further. By re-branding it as Ten London he feels he can broaden his horizons.
A regular on the club circuit, Burge wants to create a new website that is the go-to site for London-bound tourists looking for a place to stay and a nightclub to be seen at.
"Ten Club London was originally a clothing brand, but I'm living in London so I started going out more," he said.
"You're not able to do that when you play football, you have to be in a hotel or somewhere getting some rest.
"But I'd go out and mingle, meet contacts and I just had this idea.
"If you are new to London, you don't know where to start in terms of going out.
"There isn't anything that puts it all in one place. Like say, if you're visiting for a weekend and you want to know what the best hotels, clubs and restaurants are.
"I wanted to bring together the best of London, while selling high-quality fashion too.
"Through my new site, you'll be able to book hotels, go to the best clubs and buy from the clothing label.
"My plan is I want it to be the go-to brand for the best of London, so someone who visits knows to come to us to map out their experience in the capital.
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"Ten London is a high-end brand, so it won’t be affordable for everyone.
"We’re only working with the best services the city has to offer, so it will be five-star hotels, restaurants and the best clubs."
But what does the future hold for Burge's football career?
He did make a brief return to Eastleigh in the National League in 2017, however he is in two minds on a comeback.
"I’m undecided if I want to return to the game," he said.
"I’ve played 98 games and I’ve got a very good record over that period. I achieved promotion and Player of the Year at Port Vale.
"After only half a season in the football league, I also had strong interest from Premier League and Championship clubs.
"I keep myself fit, and if I returned, it wouldn’t take me long to generate that kind of interest again”
To follow Burge's fashion label, visit his Instagram. He is also hosting nights at VIP Mayfair club, DRAMA Park Lane at the London Hilton Park Lane.
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