The sport of rowing was "invented" by a Tyneside man, Harry Clasper. He was literally a world superstar long before the Beckham's.
He designed and built the sculls that are used in rowing competitions (Olympics, Oxford/Cambridge boat race etc.) and was the holder of many records. As a professional rower he had a huge following, rowing being a much bigger sport back in the day. The story of his life is being brought to the London Stage in a play, "Haddaway Harry". Over 100,000 people turned out at his funeral.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Clasper
rgds
JA