YOUNG entrepreneurs turned football shirt designers for the day – creating strips for United ace Jonas Gutierrez.

Students from King Edward VI School in Morpeth were at St James’ Park yesterday to test their business acumen as part of national Enterprise Week.

And they turned their skills to creating new designs for a football shirt for the Newcastle United winger – before selling their creations to him.

The Argentinean international picked out the winning example, created by 16-year-old Daisy Fitzpatrick and her team.

The unusual design saw Jonas’ face making up part of the strip, along with the Argentinean flag.

Daisy said: “We all had jobs within the team and I was creative director. I came up with lots of ideas and tried to think of something unusual. He must have like the shirt – he’s kept it.”

Jonas, 28, famous for his Spiderman-masked goal celebration, also gave the students some tips on teamwork. He said: “It is fantastic to see these young people working as a team on this enterprise challenge.

“The same principles apply in business as on the football pitch and I know how important it is to rely on your team-mates to achieve goals.”

The event was one of several activities run by the Newcastle United Foundation during Enterprise Week, as part of its Enterprise Academy.

The events are aimed at engaging young people aged 11-19 to embrace the business world through a range of interactive opportunities, so they understand the basic principles of business and self-employment.

The students also found out more about the running of a professional football club, from marketing and communications to customer services and catering. Sam McLoughlin, the foundation’s enterprise academy co-ordinator, said the principles could be applied to any business, but the prestige of the football club helped spark their imaginations.

“People like Jonas are great examples, as he is a team player,” said Sam.

“Newcastle United’s badge is also a great lever to engage young people.

“This week alone we have engaged over 700 students in enterprise activities.

“We are trying to make sure people are able to reach their potential.”