HE may be heading to Australia in November but Warrington Wolves packman Mike Cooper has still got one eye on his future in Warrington.

The England international has opened sports store 1895 Sports/Run Geek with business partners and friends Sam Wareing and Stuart Hull on Time Square and has been enjoying watching the business grow from strength to strength.

The store, which started online 18 months ago, will be selling World Cup shirts in the next few weeks as well as NRL kits come November but have so far seen the highest demand being for the shop’s specialist running services.

The former academy star, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Sunday, said: “We opened three weeks ago but didn’t say anything so we could have a bit of a dry run to practice.

“It’s been challenging as it’s a change to the day job but I’ve enjoyed setting up as much as I do working here.

“We’ve had a real mix of people coming in with one guy saying he had run 11k in walking boots.”

Sam, who has been friends with the utility forward since they were at Priestley College together, said they have been helping runners with everything from calf to back pain by getting them on the treadmill in store and advising them what shoe is best for them.

The 25-year-old added: “We have been working with the English Half Marathon who had a record number of runners this year and everybody was saying Warrington needs a running shop.

“The reviews have been great on Facebook because we have been doing things properly and telling people if they just need a new pair of socks or a physio rather than new trainers.

“We’re happy for people to come in for a chat and it’s got a good community feel.”

Seminars will also be regularly taking place at the store with the first one next Thursday at 7pm on setting up a training plan.

The departing back row forward added: “We were determined to set up our own business together and we’re now looking at opening a second shop.

“I’ve seen a lot of players panic when they get to 30 so I’m lucky enough this is already going in the right direction.”