By Steve Tomkins Squash is one of those sports the British excel at, but no one seems to pay any attention to. As the country's foremost squash club faces demolition, the sport is weathering a serious image problem.
By Steve Tomkins Squash is one of those sports the British excel at, but no one seems to pay any attention to. As the country's foremost squash club faces demolition, the sport is weathering a serious image problem.
Lambs squash club in Moorgate was described by Jahangir Khan, the six-times World Open champion, as the best he had ever played in. It is one of the most well-loved and prestigious squash clubs in the world, the largest in the UK, and home to the British Open.
Lambs squash club in Moorgate was described by Jahangir Khan, the six-times World Open champion, as the best he had ever played in. It is one of the most well-loved and prestigious squash clubs in the world, the largest in the UK, and home to the British Open.
This year the nine-court facility, known as the Wimbledon of squash, will be closed down, to make way for a block of flats.
This year the nine-court facility, known as the Wimbledon of squash, will be closed down, to make way for a block of flats.
This sounds like the story of a sport in the doldrums. It is hard to imagine Wimbledon or Cardiff Arms Park being unceremoniously sold to developers. Squash has not captured British hearts and minds, it seems. You certainly have to sit up pretty late if you want to catch a match on TV.
This sounds like the story of a sport in the doldrums. It is hard to imagine Wimbledon or Cardiff Arms Park being unceremoniously sold to developers. Squash has not captured British hearts and minds, it seems. You certainly have to sit up pretty late if you want to catch a match on TV.
Recognise him? Peter Nicol, winner of just about every squash titleAnd yet when you consider just how well Britain does at the sport, this coolness seems rather extraordinary.
Recognise him? Peter Nicol, winner of just about every squash titleAnd yet when you consider just how well Britain does at the sport, this coolness seems rather extraordinary.
"We have consistently had half the players in the world top 20 - male and female - since the rankings began," says the commentator Alan Thatcher. "Can you imagine the reaction if our tennis players achieved anything like that?"
"We have consistently had half the players in the world top 20 - male and female - since the rankings began," says the commentator Alan Thatcher. "Can you imagine the reaction if our tennis players achieved anything like that?"
The British squash player Peter Nicol - who has represented Scotland and England - has a level of success that would have made Tim Henman not so much a superstar as a national god. He retired from professional squash last summer after winning gold medals in both singles and doubles at the Commonwealth Games. He was number one in the world rankings for 60 consecutive months, and won every national and international squash tournament.
The British squash player Peter Nicol - who has represented Scotland and England - has a level of success that would have made Tim Henman not so much a superstar as a national god. He retired from professional squash last summer after winning gold medals in both singles and doubles at the Commonwealth Games. He was number one in the world rankings for 60 consecutive months, and won every national and international squash tournament.
Why Nicol's stardom is such a secret is a mystery. The British public is routinely thrown into a frenzy over the smallest hope of success in football and tennis. Even Nigel Short became a household name on the strength of completely failing to beat Garry Kasparov at that least glamorous of all sports, chess, in 1993.
Why Nicol's stardom is such a secret is a mystery. The British public is routinely thrown into a frenzy over the smallest hope of success in football and tennis. Even Nigel Short became a household name on the strength of completely failing to beat Garry Kasparov at that least glamorous of all sports, chess, in 1993.
Many English soccer fans under 40 still seem to be reeling from the world cup victory that happened before they were born. Why so little interest then in one game that British players actually win.
Many English soccer fans under 40 still seem to be reeling from the world cup victory that happened before they were born. Why so little interest then in one game that British players actually win.
"It is a little bit strange," says Nicol. "I was at the Sports Personality of the year awards, and I was put near the front with the likes of Linford Christie and Boris Becker, it was very nice. But there wasn't a single mention of squash all night."
"It is a little bit strange," says Nicol. "I was at the Sports Personality of the year awards, and I was put near the front with the likes of Linford Christie and Boris Becker, it was very nice. But there wasn't a single mention of squash all night."
Donald Rumsfeld recently said he plays it every day. I'm not sure that helps Former world No 1, Peter Nicol "That was frustrating," agrees Thatcher. "His Commonwealth Games final was the sporting highlight of year, and it deserves recognition. The Telegraph and Times have just released their squash correspondents, and yet the game is better than it's ever been before at the top level."
Donald Rumsfeld recently said he plays it every day. I'm not sure that helps Former world No 1, Peter Nicol "That was frustrating," agrees Thatcher. "His Commonwealth Games final was the sporting highlight of year, and it deserves recognition. The Telegraph and Times have just released their squash correspondents, and yet the game is better than it's ever been before at the top level."
How has squash remained so hidden? Thatcher points his finger at the British obsession with football, and, at a local level, "the rape of the sport by health and fitness clubs"; Lambs being the most tragic example.
How has squash remained so hidden? Thatcher points his finger at the British obsession with football, and, at a local level, "the rape of the sport by health and fitness clubs"; Lambs being the most tragic example.
Nicol suggests there may be an image problem too.
Nicol suggests there may be an image problem too.
"It has a rather corporate image. People think of aggressive yuppies knocking each other about on the squash court. Michael Douglas played squash in Wall Street. Donald Rumsfeld recently said he plays it every day. I'm not sure that helps."
"It has a rather corporate image. People think of aggressive yuppies knocking each other about on the squash court. Michael Douglas played squash in Wall Street. Donald Rumsfeld recently said he plays it every day. I'm not sure that helps."
Perhaps the fact that squash involves a small ball moving very fast, in an enclosed space, has not invited TV coverage. But Thatcher says that the game has adapted itself to that challenge.
Perhaps the fact that squash involves a small ball moving very fast, in an enclosed space, has not invited TV coverage. But Thatcher says that the game has adapted itself to that challenge.
"We have a glass court now, with a white ball against a dark background. And the rules have changed to make the games shorter. It's perfect for TV, but TV doesn't seem to realise that yet."
"We have a glass court now, with a white ball against a dark background. And the rules have changed to make the games shorter. It's perfect for TV, but TV doesn't seem to realise that yet."
Gym exercise has surged in popularity, while squash has declinedAnother tactic in winning the PR game is mini-squash, played in canvas courts in school playgrounds. Chris Sly teaches squash and mini-squash in London.
Gym exercise has surged in popularity, while squash has declinedAnother tactic in winning the PR game is mini-squash, played in canvas courts in school playgrounds. Chris Sly teaches squash and mini-squash in London.
"I've trained 6-year-olds and 70-year-olds," he says, "and they love it. There's something very primitive about hitting a ball against a wall."
"I've trained 6-year-olds and 70-year-olds," he says, "and they love it. There's something very primitive about hitting a ball against a wall."
"We missed two or three generations," says Thatcher, "but a lot of coaches are going into schools now, and it's making a big difference."
"We missed two or three generations," says Thatcher, "but a lot of coaches are going into schools now, and it's making a big difference."
Nicol too is devoting his time to promoting the game, as a decade of winning it somehow failed to do. "I was quite fortunate during my career to be able to live my own life. All I wanted was to play squash, not talk about it on TV. At the same time, it is frustrating."
Nicol too is devoting his time to promoting the game, as a decade of winning it somehow failed to do. "I was quite fortunate during my career to be able to live my own life. All I wanted was to play squash, not talk about it on TV. At the same time, it is frustrating."
He sees that changing over the next five years. "I see squash getting more popular year by year, more people playing, better coverage. And hopefully we'll be in the 2016 Olympics. I believe in the sport, I love the sport, I'm very positive about where it's going."
He sees that changing over the next five years. "I see squash getting more popular year by year, more people playing, better coverage. And hopefully we'll be in the 2016 Olympics. I believe in the sport, I love the sport, I'm very positive about where it's going."
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Do your research properly - Peter Nichol is Scottish but chose to represent England because of the better training and facilities.matt blackburn, edinburgh, scotland
Do your research properly - Peter Nichol is Scottish but chose to represent England because of the better training and facilities.matt blackburn, edinburgh, scotland
The British Open, as far as I am aware, will be hosted by the National Squash Centre in Manchester in 2007. Maybe this was a contributory factor in the decision making process.Nick Evans, Solihull, UK
The British Open, as far as I am aware, will be hosted by the National Squash Centre in Manchester in 2007. Maybe this was a contributory factor in the decision making process.Nick Evans, Solihull, UK
Pity the developers and planners did not see fit to incorporate the squash club into the new development, and were not obliged to provide an equivalent facility there or elsewhere. Squash is a great game for getting exercise indoors, but hard on the knees, and not a sport that develops the musculature that turns women's heads. Moreover, for an audience, the play varies between too fast to follow and borinngly repetitious. Brits are good at sailing, and absolutely top of the world at gliding, and in the latter, women can compete on equal terms with men. Neither make good television. It is no coincidence that a game of football lasts about as long as a film or a play. We still have the opportunity to excel in sports requiring unusual technical skills or equipment, but don't succeed when all that is required are favourable physique, endless practice, and the determination that often comes from a chance to rise out of poverty through sporting excellence.K Towell, Guildford, England
Pity the developers and planners did not see fit to incorporate the squash club into the new development, and were not obliged to provide an equivalent facility there or elsewhere. Squash is a great game for getting exercise indoors, but hard on the knees, and not a sport that develops the musculature that turns women's heads. Moreover, for an audience, the play varies between too fast to follow and borinngly repetitious. Brits are good at sailing, and absolutely top of the world at gliding, and in the latter, women can compete on equal terms with men. Neither make good television. It is no coincidence that a game of football lasts about as long as a film or a play. We still have the opportunity to excel in sports requiring unusual technical skills or equipment, but don't succeed when all that is required are favourable physique, endless practice, and the determination that often comes from a chance to rise out of poverty through sporting excellence.K Towell, Guildford, England
Squash is a fantastic game & aerobic workout, the calorie burn alone must be massive. As a competive sport there is no equal, just you, your opponent and a small fast moving ball. Great!James Broomfield, Derby, UK
Squash is a fantastic game & aerobic workout, the calorie burn alone must be massive. As a competive sport there is no equal, just you, your opponent and a small fast moving ball. Great!James Broomfield, Derby, UK
What better incentive when young to be told that bashing that ball off that wall is great training to being a great sportsperson in a few years. As for image, you could say that about most sports, e.g. grown men punching each other? Aileen McColl, Glasgow
What better incentive when young to be told that bashing that ball off that wall is great training to being a great sportsperson in a few years. As for image, you could say that about most sports, e.g. grown men punching each other? Aileen McColl, Glasgow
Racketball may be the saviour of Squash and Squash Clubs. With its larger bouncier ball it is very aerobic and much less stressful on the limbs and heart. It is appealing to all sorts of people who are not natural rackets players and it is a load of funNigel Hillier, Thame Oxfordshire
Racketball may be the saviour of Squash and Squash Clubs. With its larger bouncier ball it is very aerobic and much less stressful on the limbs and heart. It is appealing to all sorts of people who are not natural rackets players and it is a load of funNigel Hillier, Thame Oxfordshire
Sailing and Badminton probably have similar problems. We excel at them internationally yet most people don't know who are best competitors are. Perhaps the BBC could do something about it and start showing less well known sports more often. Lets face it Cricket, Football, Rugby and Tennis get the majority coverage yet England is utterly hopeless at these sports at the moment.Pete, West Yorkshire, UK
Sailing and Badminton probably have similar problems. We excel at them internationally yet most people don't know who are best competitors are. Perhaps the BBC could do something about it and start showing less well known sports more often. Lets face it Cricket, Football, Rugby and Tennis get the majority coverage yet England is utterly hopeless at these sports at the moment.Pete, West Yorkshire, UK
I have only recently taken up squash again after playing one game once before when I was 14. I am loving it. We have a league at work which can get pretty fierce and we are constantly looking for more competitors. One thing I have noticed is the lack of squash courts in the area. It is a real shame Lambs is being demolished. Is it too late to save it?David, Southampton
I have only recently taken up squash again after playing one game once before when I was 14. I am loving it. We have a league at work which can get pretty fierce and we are constantly looking for more competitors. One thing I have noticed is the lack of squash courts in the area. It is a real shame Lambs is being demolished. Is it too late to save it?David, Southampton
Having worked in squash clubs in the late 80's and 90's I agree with the comments on squash losing out to gyms......however this was compounded by the greed of owners at that time as pure economics dictated the conversion of 2 squash courts in to an area accomodating 30 to 40 pieces of gym kit and a subsequent increase in footfall for owners.John Lavan, Cobham Surrey
Having worked in squash clubs in the late 80's and 90's I agree with the comments on squash losing out to gyms......however this was compounded by the greed of owners at that time as pure economics dictated the conversion of 2 squash courts in to an area accomodating 30 to 40 pieces of gym kit and a subsequent increase in footfall for owners.John Lavan, Cobham Surrey
Great article, as a squash fanatic who struggles to find local courts for less than £6/hr I identified with this.As well as overpriced local health centre / gyms holding a monopoly on courts, I think the IOC has to take a portion of blame - I'd love to know how they justify Taekwondo or BMX as Olympic Sports ahead of Squash!Peter Lidstone, Bristol, UK
Still playing in my mid 40s like many of my generation when will the youth of today wake up to this brilliant game that you dont have to be 6 foot 4 to excel at - Peter Nicol is a classic example Richard King, Milton Keynes
Up until I was 40 I was a regular squash player and played in the league at the local YMCA sports centre. They closed it down through lack of funds and some years later it's still awaiting planning permission to be redeveloped as housing. I moved my custom to another sports centre only for the squash courts to be closed 6 months later to make way for a gym "by public demand". I changed again and the same thing happened after a year or so. The only places left to play squash now are expensive private clubs with long waiting lists and onerous booking rules. After a period of inactivity I shrugged, paid my money and joined the hordes at the local gym. I've stuck at it and it's OK - but it isn't sport. The simple fact is that a leisure centre run by the local authority can cram 2 dozen people on exercise machines into the same space as is taken up by a squash court, charge a similar hourly rate and hence multiply their income by a factor of 12. Why preserve what is considered a minority sport under these circumstances?Simon Taylor, Maidstone, UK
I think anyone who plays squash casually knows why it is not a popular sport. For a good game of squash, you have to be at a similar level to your opponent. If you are a bit worse than them, then it's a bit like Custer's last stand, massacre. Also the effort needed to get beaten if quite extraordinary; I can get beaten for far less effort at, say, badminton. Every time I see squash on the telly, and I struggle to keep up or even see the ball, I remember the bad times, fighting for air, feeling humiliated, and promptly look for some football, cricket, boxing - hell even ten pin bowling.John Harrison, Orpington
How sad, that the pursuit of greater individual wealth outweighs the enjoyable quality of life for the community.Keith, Cardiff
I play squash twice a week and find it one the best forms of exercise i get. Problem with Squash, even tho it can be widely available to masses at the local council sport centres, the standard of the courts are rarely that high. Poor lighting, dirty and creaky floor boards hinder the game. If you wish to play on decent court that is maintained to high standard, there is a high price to pay. Firstly, membership fees then the court time fees. Like tennis, squash is seen as a upper class sport, and only people with money can/should play. We need to get away from this image for it to become more popular.Mickesh Fox, Leeds
WHY IS SQUASH NOT AN OLYMPIC SPORT? And I'm appalled that Lambs is being closed down for flats...can't believe people are letting that happenJames Matthews,
Its not just squash that is mostly ignored by the media - the UK has been hugely successful in recent Olympic sailing events but the sport rarely gets a mention.Susie, Andover, UK
Squash has always been overlooked by the public, the countries appetite for watching overpaid footballers and a desperate hope for success on the football pitch blind and blinker the majority. The achievements of Mr Nichol and other are truly spectacular, squash is the most unforgiving of sports that is punishng on both mind and body. However, the fact that squash has mostly been ignored is probably the reason for the success of our players; they play for the love of the game and not the money, they are also left alone by the press who relish in defeat rather more than they encourage our sportsmen and women. Richard Allison, Shrewsbury - UK
The last time I remember squash getting a mention was when the English player, the aptly named Louise Botwright, upset and pleased everyone in equal measure by playing in a rather revealing outfit. A sad reflection, perhaps, but true.Jon, Maldon, England.
I'm very sad to read about the demise of Squash, but not entirely surprised: I'm fortunate enough that my local gym has squash courts, and I try to make use of them as often as possible. When I play, I don't recall ever having seen any of the other courts actually in use - it's a terrible shame. Squash is a much more enjoyable sport than it might appear - easier to learn than tennis, with the added benefit that you can play all year round.Stuart Robinson, Twickenham, Middlesex
I played it for 20 years but had to stop as my knees and ankles could not take it any more. Best way to get and keep fit, 40 mins of physical and tactical excitement.Russ, London
If you get the knack of it (which means _not_ playing it like tennis) there is nothing close to squash for excitement and fitness. I think it is great for modern kids: my boys get a whole day's exercise in less than an hour and then can go back to their computer games. Martyn Symmons, Cambridge
I've played squash for 33 years now and have seen a steady decline in young people coming into the game. This has increased rapidly over the past few years. Over the years we have in the NE region lost several club or courts at Leisure Centres where it is seen more profitable to turn squash courts into dance areas. Squash courts only have two people per 40mins whereas creating a dance or aerobics studio you can increase the numbers considerably. Football is promoted so much at the detrement of other sports!Lesley Old, Cramlington Northumberland
The only squash players I've seen at my gym are the oafish, sneering blokes who just HAVE to walk down the corridors swinging their racquets against imaginary incoming balls whilst loudly congratulating each other on a "bloody good game" and "the form of the ball", before changing back into their sensible brown shoes and jackets. And to my surprise, the main coverage is in the Times and Telegraph! Colour me shocked!Marcus, London, UK
I like the point about squash being a game with a strong and very basic appeal - are there not very ancient versions of it eg pelotte? Squash needs better TV coverage, so more people can get into it - it should be on the BBC. And as a member of the doomed Lambs Club, it would be great if an upturn in the fortunes of the sport arise out of the disaster of Lambs being sold off.Kevin McLean, London
Sad story about Lambs and the all to apparent demise of squash....I've played for years and I now enjoy teaching my two young boys squash. Isn't it all about self-publicity (by the SRA) and reaching the young. I hadn't heard of mini-squash before -perhaps leaflets and posters are needed at all schools and sports centres? John Ctrossman, Thatcham
I was a Lambs member for just over a year, recently leaving the club after the announcement that the developer had finally won permission to go ahead with the site's redevelopment. It was by far the most competitive club I've played at, with a large pool of players who were passionate about their sport. This is something you won't find in most fitness clubs. A sad end for a terrific facility.Nigel Babich, London
I completely agree that there is a major problem with the closure of squash courts by fitness clubs - it is almost impossible to book a court now. Unfortunately my gym did exactly this and so I have taken up cycling instead while my racquet sadly gathers dust at home. Only a personal coaching session with Vicky Botwright would get me to go through the hassle of trying to find a free court now...Jamie Mackenzie, London
I've been introducing squash to some of my friends in uni as the University courts are just across the road from us. It is rarely busy but everyone who play's it really enjoys it. I think the fact a purpose built court that is required stops it entering schools. Unlike a large astro turf that can be multipurpose. (tennis courts, basketball, football, Hockey etc)At my school we played but in the 6th form, there wasn't a school team and we needed to walk to the local gym to do it. Roger Faires, Cardiff
It is far too difficult and expensive to get a game of squash in london. this is why the game remains the preserve of "aggressive yuppies".mike johnston, london
Is'nt Peter Nichol from Inverurie,Scotland and therefore a Scottish squash player? Calling him British rather than English would be better.Greg Lee, aberdeen
Great article. Too true that the rise of gym culture has done nothing for some minor sports - squash included.After moving here to Leeds, I have been surprised by the relative lack of good quality squash clubs and facilities in the area. It also surprises me that the BBC (and all the other major channels) are wiling to give such a lot of airtime to minority sports (eg skiing, swimming, snooker!, rowing, sailing) and devote no time at all in the scheules to a sport that is played much more regularly by the people of the UK. Also, why is the game abandoned on mainstream TV when rights to these tournaments could be bought relatively cheaply?Appalling.Martin, Leeds
There's nothing like a game of Squash to relax after a busy day at the Office as hitting the small black ball is a great stress reliever. I've never been a Lab Rat and have no intention of ever becoming one. Why people are attracted to Gym's instead of playing Squash I don't know. Perhaps an improved marketing strategy is required to clear up the Heart Attack Image of Squash. We recently had Women's World Squash played at the Ulster Hall in Belfast and it was good to watch SQUASH Played at World class Level with our own Madeline Perry from Banbridge featured in the Match.Ausitn Walker, Belfast
