German WSF Referee Peter Zöbelein tragically collapsed and died on 3rd May at the European Team Championships in Amsterdam.

Not only one of the world’s top referees, Peter was a genuinely nice guy, liked and respected by everybody in squash. His passing at the impossibly early age of fifty is difficult to come to terms with.

His families, his own and also his squash family will miss him hugely.

Rest in peace, Peter.

Andrew Shelley

We are all still in shock and very saddened about the sudden, shocking passing of Peter.

Peter was a well respected referee and will be sadly missed by his many squash colleagues and friends.

My sincere condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues around the world.

May you rest in peace Peter.

Wendy Danzey

I still try to find my mind after this, I can’t believe. 2 days before we are seating at the bar, drink beers and speak about some stuff… Great condolence to family and close friend.

I knew Peter for 3 years He was a nice, heart guy, great referee. So shame….
RIP man.

Denis Lopatin 

lestweforget@squashsite.co.uk
 

A sad time in Amsterdam for all Peter's friends.

He was a good companion, and a valued colleague referee.

My sincere condolences to his family and all his good friends in Germany and beyond.

May he rest in peace.

John Massarella

My english is not perfect , but I want to say that I’m hearing very sad news. As I’m still just beginning to referee at high level, I met Peter last November in Nîmes. The first match I refereed was with him. Peter had a very pleasant behavior.

He gave me plenty of good tips and he tried to put me in confidence. As we stayed in touch, I could see that Peter was very passionate about squash, and dreamed of finally seeing our sport become an Olympic Game. If it happens, make sure that I will have a big thought for him.

I would like to express my support for all his family and relatives in 

Stéphane Essaye

Very sorry to hear the news, we lost one good WSF referee and one who had passion with squash. We all miss you, Peter.

Amos

I still can't believe what happened on the 3rd of May where Peter Zöbelein collapsed at the breakfast room and died later in the hospital.

It is hard to believe that someone you have known for arround 15 years is now no longer among us.

My condolence goes out to the family and friends.

You will be missed, Peter
R*i*P*

Simon Rösner
 
We were all shocked and deeply saddened by Peter's ill health and subsequent passing in Amsterdam.

His commitment, enthusiasm, and expertise will always be remembered by us. Sincere condolences to his family and friends in Germany.

Auf Wiedersehen Mein Freund.
Clive Smith
 

Sad news that Nick Gatward has passed away very suddenly in hospital.

He was not only a very close personal friend, but has been a stalwart for Cheshire Squash, and England International and Masters National Champion. We had some fantastic times all over the UK playing inter-county, especially in the North East and Durham.

Within my years involved Cheshire squash, and the North West Counties League, Gatward was a star. When we played for Chester Rugby Club in the NWCL, with John Clark, our number one was a very young and shy Peter Nicol !

He was the very, very best of people a great friend to all with fantastic sense of humour, a brilliant player with fantastic racket skills.

His passing has been posted on facebook and comments have been made from players from all over the UK.

Gats will be remembered by everyone who met him, both on and off the squash court, and our thoughts are with his Em his wife and daughters, Mia and Eva at this very sad time.

Andy Nickeas

I am saddened to read about Nick.

What on earth happened, he is far too young to have passed away. I am not on Facebook and therefore all I know is the brief bit on SS.

I knew Nick from my Cheshire days. He always had a friendly face and a great laugh to be around.

He was a joy to watch on court and all that needs to be said is ‘what a loss’. My thoughts are with his family.

Linda Davie 

I am deeply saddened by the news of Nick's passing. He was a fantastic player and great bloke.

My thoughts are with his family.

Danny Lee 

It is very sad to hear of Nick passing away,he was a fantastic squash player and in my opinion one of the most talented players that graced the sport.

I can go back to 1977 when he was one of the best juniors in England and he gave me such a thrashing at Warrington Sports Club, and I thought that is how I want to play squash and it shaped my game and coaching career. We would always meet up over the years and reminisce about that match.

He was also very humble and understood the sport. I would always seek his opinion about the modern player and we used to compare it with the past which is never a good idea, but he was positive about the modern game. This is how talented he was,

I remember playing him in the Wrexham Open when I was in the top few in England and felt nervous as he was so gifted that he took the first game and it always reminded me of the thrashing I got as a junior all those years before.

My prayers are with his wife and family at this time as he was truly an unique person.

Love, David Pearson 

Devastated to hear the news of Nick’s passing, as a junior I learned a lot from watching Gats…a very talented and skilful player!
We played Yorkshire league together for Ilkley for a season and enjoyed the conversations we had.

My thought are with his friends and family at this very sad time...love to his wife Em and his two girls Mia and Eva

Nick Taylor 

Such sad news about Nick. I didn't know him well but I have a very strong memory of him in my career. We played on court 4 at Harrogate Squash Club and to this day I reckon it was one of my hardest, most challenging matches ever.

Talk about tough! Not just fitness wise but ideas. I managed to scrape through in 4 but I felt like I had reached a milestone and just beaten Jahangir Khan!

Considering that match was probably around 1986 I remember it like it was yesterday. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Simon Parke 

We played in the same team together many years ago in NW counties and those were some of my favourite seasons as I enjoyed his company so much. A great player, great person and a tragic loss.

Hadrian Stiff 

I am deeply saddened of Nick's passing. Such a talented player and such a great guy.

Being raised in the Chester area and played in north west counties I remember how much of a great reputation he had and a great personality.

My thoughts are with his wife and family.

Paul Mathieson

Nick Gatward was a wizard with the racket. I can remember playing him on the glass back at Chester Rugby Club….

The court always seemed so much bigger when you played Gats. I’d hit a lob above his head and I kid you not, Nick facing the wrong way, ie the glass, hit a winning volley boast with his eyes closed as the ball was over head. It was outrageous.

“Didn’t tell you I’ve got a special eye in the back of my head,” he said with a smile. Ace fella.

Peter Astbury - Warrington

So sad to hear the news of Nick's passing. Like many in the North West, I have great memories of Nick both on and off court.

He was a true gent to play and I'll keep fond memories of our battles! A sad loss.

Yawar Abbas 

So shocked and saddened by the news of Nicky Gatward's passing. New him from my days playing Chester And District Badminton Leagues where Nick used his squash skills to bamboozle us.

So sorry I never got to see him on a squash court but heard many reports of his natural brilliance and talent. Rest in peace my friend...

Andrew Torbet

Comments on Facebook

I woke up this morning to find out the passing of Nick Gatward.

I'm really shocked and saddened. A true gentleman with a great sense of humour. A hugely talented left handed squash player who could find shots from anywhere. I'm honored to have played in the North West counties league with him and against him.

My thoughts and prayers are with Nicks family and everyone associated with this great man. RIP my friend.

Clive Leach

Devastated and deeply saddened.

I recognise the SS picture from the Masters Home Internationals in Nottingham. He was without doubt a modest gentleman, a very gifted squash player a National Champion and an England Masters International.

I am proud to say I played against him and it was a honour and a lesson I will not forget.

Clark Adam 

What terribly sad news. Nick was a hugely respected figure on the national squash map and in Cheshire - as a big part of our close squash family - he was almost mystical.

Everyone has a story about Nick and every one would emphasise his cheerfulness, sportsmanship and great character. Everyone loved him, though on court this love was often stretched by him yet again sending his opponent the wrong way, and perhaps with a cheeky little grin to rub it in.

One of the few genuinely great talents and someone whose very name evoked warm affection.

My sincere condolences.

Robert Forde 

I am very sorry to hear of Nick's passing. I have very fond memories of playing alongside him for Chester rugnby club on a tuesday evening.

He was a joy to watch on a squash court and had a real "squash brain". He saw the game in a different way and as a young professional at the time I felt I learned lots by being in the same team week in week out. Off he court he was equally as enjoyable to be around and he will be missed greatly.

My thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time. R.I.P Nick.

Jethro Binns

So very sad to hear of Nick’s passing.

It was a great privilege to play in the same team as Nick when he played in the Shropshire League.

As a left hander I loved watching him play, he was an immensely talented player, the times I watched him turn his opponents inside out with his ability and skill never ceased to make me smile.

In the bar after he was always great company and ready to join in with the post match banter, a genuinely nice bloke and a true gent.
My thoughts are with his family.

Dave Edwards 

I was deeply saddened to hear of Nick

I have had the pleasure of knowing Nick for many years. Playing against him in the early 1980's and getting resoundly beaten and, in more recent times, playing in the same team for Chester Rugby Club. He was one of the most gifted squash players I have ever seen and always enjoyed watchin him play. On court and off court Nick was a true gent, always having time for everyone and always with a laugh and a joke. I will miss him.

My thoughts are with his family.

Dave Whitehead

Very sad to hear about the loss of Gats. A local squash legend who will be remembered as a guy with huge talent and a huge character. Like most of those who knew him we will all have a story to tell. RIP

Paul Kettle

Several players here knew or had played Harry and Pontefract Squash Club would like Harry's family and friends to know that our thoughts are with you.

James Willstrop, Malcolm Willstrop & Michael Todd

My thoughts are with Harry's family at this difficult time.

Harry was one of the nice guys, a pleasure to coach as well as being very respectful to all those around him. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.

Fiona Geaves

Lee Drew on CarteBlanche

Tweets about ""harry faulkner""

Adri van Noort flanked by
Arnold van der Harst (left)
and Ida Misker (right)

The Leader ...
by Will Carlin
"There has never been a finer man in New York squash than Michael Rothenberg, or a finer leader ..."

Fran Marshall, British Open champion in 1961 and England number one for a decade, renowned as "the last person to beat Heather McKay", passed away this week in Northumberland.

Our thoughts are with her family ... comments and tributes to fran@squashsite.co.uk

Talking to Fran in 2008

It was with sadness that I heard that Fran had died last week.

Fran was a great ambassador for squash in Yorkshire and I was lucky enough to be able to benefit from her expertise through coaching provided via Yorkshire squash. I played against her several times in her later years, finally stealing the Yorkshire title from her before she retired.

She was a great character in squash and will be much missed.

I would like to offer my condolences and best wishes to all her family.

Suzanne Horner
 

Fred Willis, 1942 - 2011
Yorkshire Evening Post article

Top dad, top husband, top ‘Pop’, top writer, top man! Much-loved and much missed. –

Margaret, Helen Richard, Gary, Nicola and your four lovely grandchildren Hannah, Charlie, Thomas and Alfie. xx

Helen Nash 

Fred was one of the greats of a breed which is sadly dying: the ‘regional press squash correspondent’.

I knew him for more years than I care to remember – and all the time he successfully reworked local, national and international squash news to make sure that his YEP readers had the best Yorkshire version.

He was a magnificent ambassador for our sport and will be very sadly missed

Howard Harding

Fred was a lovely man and looked after the BSPA’s press needs for over a decade. It was always a pleasure to deal with him, and just great to chat to him on the phone before each event when he would meticulously go through where each player was from having not been able to read my hand writing!

Top man, rest well Fred.

Tim Garner

His contribution to squash over the years has been incredible. ESR awarding Fred an Outstanding Contribution to Squash award at the National Championships in 2009. Malcolm Willstrop presented Fred with his very well deserved award in recognition for his long serving support of squash in England.

Fred will be greatly missed by all involved in squash especially in his native Yorkshire where many of us relied on Fred to accurately report on matches and events throughout the county and beyond.

Jim Lord

All in Yorkshire, players and county administrators alike, are extremely saddened to learn that Fred had passed away. Fred had provided a unique service to Yorkshire squash for many years reporting the results of Yorkshire league matches and other activities in his column in the Evening Post. In particular, Fred was keen to encourage Yorkshire juniors and was constantly seeking out information on which players had performed well at the various events. Apart from his dedication what was most impressive about Fred was his attention to detail sometimes making numerous phone calls to ensure his facts were correct.

He will be greatly missed by those involved in Yorkshire squash and our deepest sympathy is extended to his family.

Jeff Williams
On behalf of Yorkshire squash.

It is with great sadness that I learn of Fred’s passing. Fred was a dedicated servant of the great sport of squash in Yorkshire as an ever present reporter of all things Yorkshire squash. He always ensured that any successes involving Yorkshire squash players was presented to the community through the medium of the Yorkshire Evening Post. He was an integral part of the boom in squash in Yorkshire on both a national and international scale. He was probably the reason why elite squash has become such a integral part of the county’s culture.

Fred’s consistent and regular reports were to be relied upon. It was only fitting that England Squash should recognised his contribution to squash and make their special award to him for services to the sport he served so well. It is especially sad to consider that Fred may well be remembered as one of the last of a dying breed of squash writers able to contribute regular column inches in the printed medium when it is such a struggle against the background of priorities given to other sports and the lack of space to fill.

I first met Fred as an up and coming junior in Yorkshire when he would always keep in touch with me, following my career on behalf of the newspaper through County Closed championships and beyond. He was always genial, supportive, a great enthusiast and regular attendee at events he could get to. His commitment was unquestioned and highly valued.

Fred will be sorely missed and my deepest sympathies especially go to his family in their sadness, while at the same time mourning the loss of a truly devoted squash man.

Ian Robinson
 

John Dale, 1976 - 2010

Atef Khalifa, 1960 - 2010

Ian Wright, 1933 - 2009

Jean Reynolds, 1948 - 2009

Neil Desai, 1986 - 2008

Stephen Cox, 1956 - 2008

Peter Kramer, 1948 - 2005 

40 years of Squash

It was with great sadness that I heard that Fred had died. He was a mannered, civilised man, whose contribution to the game of squash, through his sustained and dedicated work for the Yorkshire Evening Post, cannot be underestimated.

It helps to know that I was present when England Squash paid tribute to him for his work and his modest pride that day is something I will always remember.

You will be much missed, Fred, and thanks for everything.

Malcolm Willstrop

The words unsung and understated would be appropriate for Fred. For so many years now squash has had representation in one of the prominent regional newspapers, the Yorkshire Evening Post, every Tuesday.

Fred wrote this tennis and squash column and the amount of time and effort this demanded of him is immeasurable. He did a great service to squash in the Yorkshire region, and few may know it.

I remember clearly our regular telephone conversations after major tournaments. He was always genuinely interested and delighted in the success of the region's players. I appreciated his support and honest reports greatly.
I remember Fred as a gentle, warm man. It's so sad to hear the news.
He will be missed; my best wishes to his family.

James Willstrop
 

John Dale, 1976 - 2010

Atef Khalifa, 1960 - 2010

Ian Wright, 1933 - 2009

Jean Reynolds, 1948 - 2009

Neil Desai, 1986 - 2008

Stephen Cox, 1956 - 2008

Peter Kramer, 1948 - 2005