Football star's shoe obsession

Darren Bent of Derby County. Photo / Getty Images

England footballer Darren Bent has revealed he owns more than a thousand trainer shoes saying at one point he was purchasing 60 a month.

The Derby County striker, who has played 13 times for England, told the BBC his shoe obsession began almost two decades ago.

"It's a collection. I have been building it up over the years for a long time. It's one of my old friends he got me into it, maybe 15-20 years ago. Now I have thousands upon thousands," he told BBC Sport.

"There was a time I was collecting 50-60 pairs a month."

Bent is in the 16th year of his professional career and has scored 170 league goals. He's currently playing for Championship side Derby County who face Premier League champions Leicester City in the FA Cup tomorrow morning.

The 32-year-old says collecting trainers is his hobby compered to other footballers who spend their spare time playing golf.

"I bought them because I like wearing trainers. I like to collect trainers.

"Michael Jordan is one of my favourite athletes ever, so I've got a lot of his trainers.

"I don't play golf, I don't do those things. I like to collect trainers and that's just my hobby."

But he says if he had the option between the best trainers in the world and a FA Cup winners medal, he would take the football accolade.

"Any trainer I've wanted to get I've managed to get then. Even if they are one of six , I've managed to pick them up somehow. If you're offering me an FA Cup medal, I'll snap your hand off."

@Sneakerpedia Some stacks at the back but most of it out on the floor. got some sorting out to do pic.twitter.com/qwOEbiB

— Darren Bent (@DarrenBent) August 16, 2011