After over 25 years at the heart of squash in the UK, the famous Lambs Club will close its doors for the final time on Tuesday 31st July 2007.

In a much publicised fight the members fought a rearguard action to try and save what has been described as the ‘Wimbledon of squash’, but ultimately the developers, Clan Real Estate, managed to get planning permission for a residential development.

They have now instructed owner Mike Corby to vacate the premises at the end of July and so a sporting icon in the heart of the City will be bulldozed to the ground and replaced by residential properties.

Lambs was once described by legend Jahangir Khan as ‘probably the best squash club in the World’.

This status was achieved largely through the passion of owner Corby to have his club involved in all of the major squash events in the country. This included for many years hosting the early rounds of the British Open & all age groups in the British Junior Open, entering a team featuring Jahangir into the inaugural National Squash League, running the Square Mile Squash Competition, as well as hosting Inter-county Finals & World Class Exhibition matches.

With nine courts Lambs is unique in the City of London, where the next biggest complex boasts just three, and the impact of its demise will only be truly evident as it unfolds, particularly at a time when squash is showing a resurgence as England Squash’s development programme starts to come to fruition and the public strive for something more than is offered by simply going to the gym.

There are still attempts to resurrect a New Lambs, but given the imminence of the closure there is likely to be a considerable gap, if/when a new club is conceived.

In the meantime, it will be down to the other clubs within the city and on its outskirts to pick up the slack, at this time when squash is on a revival it would be a tragedy to lose any players to the game.

Corby himself is looking at regaining ownership of Spitafields Sports Club, and is examining the feasibility of re-opening a fourth court on that site, which would make it the biggest squash complex in the vicinity, and, despite a well publicised spat with some of the Lambs Action Team, is offering a discounted membership to Lambs members who transfer there.

Article from Time.com
 

The Closing Night

To mark the closure of Lambs, its most famous member & ex-World no.1 Peter Nicol will play Lambs manager & ex-World no.26 Tim Garner on Thursday 26th July at 7pm.

Tickets cost £10 from Lambs reception, and there will be a charity auction for some unique squash memorabilia afterwards, as well as the chance for non-members and members to say farewell to Lambs.

+44 (0) 207 638 3811 
Lambs@eventis-sports.com

"For my teenage years and early twenties, it was the club. To then play in it every day was something quite special."

"We have to celebrate the contribution of Lambs and get back in the saddle."


England Squash