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Marlon Harewood: Former Nottingham Forest and West Ham striker swaps goals for doing up fast cars for Premier League stars

Harry Kane and Kyle Walker among those to receive top of the range bespoke cars from AC13 Premier, the company co-owned by the footballer

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IN a career spanning 531 games, over 150 goals with 13 clubs over 20 years, it would be fair to say striker Marlon Harewood had a pretty good engine.

But today it’s engines of a different kind that occupy Harewood’s life as the former front man heads up Nottingham-based company AC13 Premier to provide top of the range bespoke cars to the sporting elite.

Footballer Marlon Harewood is making a second career out of doing up cars
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Footballer Marlon Harewood is making a second career out of doing up carsCredit: Instagram @mazer9
The ex West Ham striker is not officially retired but is working on his car business
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The ex West Ham striker is not officially retired but is working on his car businessCredit: Reuters

His impressive client list includes Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and Andy Carroll among many others in the football world and Stuart Broad (cricket) and Carl Froch (boxing).

The 38-year old said: “I have been involved at AC13 Premier for a few years, but my partner has been running the business while I have been playing.

“I still haven’t officially retired although my last games were at Nuneaton three years ago.”

Harewood, who made his league debut 20 years ago at Nottingham Forest, first had the idea of selling top of the range cars after he says he got ripped off when he bought a sports car when he was at West Ham.

Kyle Walker poses with his transformed Bentley Bentayga
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Kyle Walker poses with his transformed Bentley BentaygaCredit: Instagram @ac13premier
Marlon Harewood's AC13 Premier company specialises in bespoke cars for the elite
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Harewood's AC13 Premier company specialises in bespoke cars for the eliteCredit: Instagram @ac13premier
Jimmy Bullard is among Harewood's happy customers
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Jimmy Bullard is among Harewood's happy customersCredit: Instagram @ac13premier
West Ham defender Reece Oxford poses with his unique set of wheels
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West Ham defender Reece Oxford poses with his unique set of wheelsCredit: Instagram @ac13premier

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Harewood was inspired to start his company after being stung himself in the past
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Harewood was inspired to start his company after being stung himself in the pastCredit: Instagram @ac13premier
Harewood co-owns the AC13 Premier company
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Harewood co-owns the AC13 Premier companyCredit: Instagram @ac13premier

He admitted: “I was angry because it cost me a lot. It gave me the idea that I could sell elite cars but do it properly.

“I count myself very lucky that I have had a decent partner and people in our business who have had the same principles as me and made it work.

“I am very proud to ensure every quality car we sell meets the spec of the customer."

The company get some interesting requests – including having their shirt numbers stitched into the seats.

England's Fabian Delph is another to have used Harewood's services
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England's Fabian Delph is another to have used Harewood's servicesCredit: Instagram @ac13premier
AC13 Premier help customise cars on the inside and outside
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AC13 Premier help customise cars on the inside and outsideCredit: Instagram @ac13premier
Requests from sports stars include having coffee machines and printers inside their cars
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Requests from sports stars include having coffee machines and printers inside their carsCredit: Instagram @ac13premier


PIMP MY RIY-DE Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has had his supercar pimped up by former West Ham ace Marlon Harewood, as he could not recognise it


Striker Harewood claims he has not officially retired from playing
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Striker Harewood claims he has not officially retired from playingCredit: PA:Press Association
The 38-year-old has fond memories playing for West Ham, including scoring the winner in the 2006 FA Cup semi-final
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The 38-year-old has fond memories playing for West Ham, including scoring the winner in the 2006 FA Cup semi-finalCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Plus coffee machines, printers and all sorts inside.

He added: “We are more than happy to look at all requests to keep the client satisfied.”

Harewood revealed that he loved his playing career but enjoyed his best spell at West Ham between 2003-07.

“I have a soft spot for all the clubs I played for, but West Ham was something special.

"Scoring the winner for Hammers in the FA Cup semi-final in 2006 was my stand out moment.

“It wasn’t so much scoring the goal but I will never forget the ground actually shook by the sheer noise of the West Ham fans. It almost lifted me off the floor!”

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