A Rich History!

David Quinn recently received a copy of the Official County Handbook of the Oxfordshire Squash Rackets Association for 1980/81. A fascinating read with many interesting photos and one or two familiar names.

Ken Reid (University) was the County Treasurer whilst a young fellow by the name of Mark Cairns (Abingdon and England) was winning the Boys Under 14 title. Tony Henman captained Weston Manor although the family name holds greater lustre in a quite different racket sport!

Back then there were six divisions (of 12) in a Winter League sponsored by Halls Brewery alongside a thriving women’s section with three divisions (of 6), receiving financial backing from TrySports.

Following a 22 match campaign, Thame (now recently defunct along with so many more of the clubs listed) emerged as the Winter Champions whilst Wallingford triumphed in the Summer equivalent (eight divisions of 8). Abingdon 1 prevailed in the Ladies Winter League.

At Touchwood Sports, you could purchase an Adidas Hawk racquet for £10.50 but if you wanted a top of the range Gray’s LB Supreme, that would set you back £37.95 but Club Players did receive a discount.

The Oxon Number 1 in those halcyon days was Peter Wilson, a prodigious winner of the County Closed  and who represented his country (Wales) on more than 50 occasions. A natural athlete, he also played field hockey for Wales and Great Britain and competed in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Martine Le Moignan (Guernsey and former World Number 3) won the Rogers Concrete Ladies Oxon Open whilst British International, Peter Verow defeated Australian Ken Rollington to land the honours in the Men’s.