JANUARY

THANK YOU ...

Thank you to Steve Cubbins for his support in Kuwait & Saudi & together with Fram for producing squashsite – they work so hard to produce a marvellous website that is so positive for squash. The only squash site I ever read.

Thank you to Sheikha Fadyah Al Sabah for being such a good friend & supporter who also tried very hard to join me in Bermuda. The first Lady of Squash.

Thank you Sandy, Danielle and Leigh.

I will always remember the words that my son Leigh said at the party – thank you son.

To Danielle who I am only now beginning to realise did so much to make those three days in Bermuda the happiest in my life – thank you my Angel.

To my wife Sandy for being at my side during those dark days and as always choosing to be in the background when the spotlight was on.  

Thanks to David Palmer for doing so much behind the scenes and also for your friendship over the years. A class act on and off court.

Thank you to the girls in the PSA office – not only for the champagne and the wonderful gift when I visited you in December but for your many loyal years of support to the players and myself. Take a bow Sheila, Anna, Lynne, Alison & Sheryl.

Thank you to Hisham Algosaibi from Qatar for being in Bermuda. Hisham has been my Big Brother & teacher since my first trip to the Middle East. Another friend in the same class as Ziad Al-Turki. Hisham has been a long time supporter of the players and for many years was the Tournament Director of the Qatar Classic.

Thank you to Anthony Ricketts for ringing me from the Virgin Islands so that we could wish each other good luck on our retirements. Anthony was always one of my favourites with his own brand of ferocity on court and a good friend off it.

Squash will miss you Young Ricketts you brought a style all of your own to the tour & your British Open title will be there for your children and grandchildren to see and admire. Stay in touch.

Thank you Shaun for planning the party in Bermuda with Danielle & congratulations to you and Katline on the birth of your son Maddox a brother for Indy.

Thank you to Ziad and his wife Anastasia for your total support. I know how hard you tried to be in Bermuda. I did raise my glass to you.

Thank you to Gerald Leeke and his lovely wife Sue for flying to Bermuda to be with me when I retired.

Very fitting as Gerald was the man who started it all when he sponsored the Leekes Welsh Wizards and The Leekes Classics as well as doing the three best ever Leekes British Opens when they were staged in Cardiff during the 1990’s.

Gerald is one of the three men I have most respected during my life. Thanks for being there Gerald – but you still owe me $10 towards the dinner!!

Thank you to Kim Carter & Ross Triffitt for their support of my tribute and for making my family so welcome. Also for producing four years of majestic PSA tournaments in beautiful Bermuda.

Thank you to Julian & Siobhan for being such great friends as well as hosting the party in your lovely home.

THANK YOU ...

Finally thank you to all of the audiences and friends that have made up my years on the PSA tour - too many to mention but all locked in my memory to open and remember when I walk the golf course or sip a glass or two in the grounds of our home in France. 

APRIL

JUNE

SEPTEMBER

The British Open produced an amazing all French final between Gregory Gaultier and Thierry Lincou. As Shabana & Ashour had produced an all Egyptian final in Kuwait now it was the time for France to be featured. Again the younger man was to prevail and Gregory Gaultier lifted the trophy to mark his arrival as a major winner. For me there was mixed emotions – I have been tipping Greg as a special talent for some time but from the day I first met Thierry he has been a total professional and a great guy. He seems to have passed a lot of those qualities on to Greg who lights up the court with his talents. Congratulations Greg – your name is there forever my friend.

ENGLAND’S TOO…

Last years British Open Champion, Nick Matthew proved he has developed into a true champion when he beat Hisham Ashour – Mohammed Abbas – Thierry Lincou – Ramy Ashour and in the final - fellow countryman James Willstrop to lift the US Open title in early October – not an easy route Nick!!.

Just like Egypt, France & Australia England can boast two players in Jimbo & Nick who are capable of beating the best. With an ever improving Peter Barker & Adrian Grant the future of England looks rosy………… and don’t forget Lee Beachill who could yet have another major title waiting for him before he calls it a day.
   

OCTOBER

Another showdown between the established star Amr Shabana and the young gun Ramy Ashour, when one would be crowned champion and leave with the largest cheque ever on the PSA tour. Feelings were divided and Ziad was smiling like a man who had won the lottery or more important in his case had discovered a Jahangir backhand!!!  
 
After presenting the players I did the live TV commentary with David Palmer and both of us were stunned by the focus that Shabana brought to the court that night. He had clearly done some soul searching since his loss to Ramy in Kuwait & this time he matched the brilliance of the youngster and reversed the earlier decision in four games.  


 
As he hit the winner the emotions flowed and you could see that the World No. 1 had given Ramy his every thought since his previous loss to him. That night he played and spoke as a champion. The Saudi International is a truly phenomenal event that does Saudi Arabia proud. Ziad Al-Turki deserves the plaudits of everyone in the game with his personal input & support.  
    

NOVEMBER 

DECEMBER