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One of the worst moments of my life
on the Squash Tour
During
the late 1980’s and the early 1990’s I was managing the
Leekes Welsh Wizards in the British Premier League.
 Our away fixture against Manchester Northern featured a
first string match between our Chris Robertson and Scotsman
Colin Keith. Robbo rarely lost against lower ranked players
and I was looking upon this as a banker. It was not to be!
Colin played a game of high quality and total commitment to
register a win for Northern. I believe that was the season that
he also had wins against Rod Martin and Jahangir Khan. To
beat player’s of this ilk showed that if Colin could harness
this talent he would rocket up the PSA rankings.
After his win against Robbo that night I spent some time
chatting with Colin. He was very interested in the way that we
presented squash in The Leekes Welsh Classic and that I was now
starting to Present and Direct other events on the PSA tour. He
believed that this was the way forward for our sport – I had met
a kindred spirit! We exchanged numbers and promised to stay in
touch.
Sometime after this Colin called me at my home in Wales and we
spent a long time chatting about the future of our game. We
finished our telephone conversation on a high note. I did not
know then but it was to be the last time that we ever spoke
together!!
About a week later the squash world was shocked and saddened by
the news that Colin had taken his own life. I was filled with
sadness that this super talented guy had been taken from us.
That feeling is still with me today. RIP Colin. It was my
absolute pleasure to have known you – be it for too short a
time.
My Best Moments in Squash
It was 2007 and I had just had major surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my colon. It had been a much bigger
procedure than we had had planned on.
At our first meeting after the operation the surgeon told us
that I was to have complete rest for at least six months. This
was a bit of a problem as I was due in Saudi a couple of
months later to Direct and Present The Saudi International!!
Following this I was committed to Presenting the World Open in
Bermuda. Not what he had in mind!
I managed to get through the event in Saudi but on landing in
Bermuda I knew that this was a step too far!! By staying in bed
all day and resting I managed to somehow start the event with
the Opening Ceremony – I remember the marching band appearing
and the beat of the drums going through my body. Other than that
I have little recall of that night!!
On the eve of the Quarter Finals the magic moments happened. I
had announced that I was to retire as the PSA World Tour
Technical Director after this event.
 That
night I was shocked to the core when my wife Sandy
appeared before me together with my son and daughter, Leigh
and Danielle!! She had flown them out without my knowledge,
to share this special landmark in my life.
This was eclipsed when Julian Rose, an ex player who now
resides in Bermuda, stole my microphone and Presented a Tribute
to me from the players.
 My mind is still etched with the
wonderful response of the live audience – all of the messages
from the players – the touching speech made by Jack Herrick
(a dear friend and then the Chairman of PSA) and finally to
see the emotion on the faces of my family as they watched.
Those moments were the best medicine that I could have wished
for.
I will always remember the amazing hospitality and love that I
received during this tournament. Certain people definitely went
the extra mile. Tournament organisers Kim Carter and Ross
Triffit together with their amazing team. Shaun Moxham,
Julian
(Rosie) Rose and Anthony (Pluto) White. Jack Herrick
and all of the players that contributed with their own words of
such warmth.
 Finally,
to my wife Sandy and my daughter Danielle, who worked so
hard, without my knowledge, to spring this surprise.
My son Leigh – who had never seen me working and actually
asked Sandy “Where is dad going?” as I walked out to present the
next match!! I think he thought I was still playing!
Never to be forgotten moments. |
