BUTTS OR NO BUTTS,
THAT IS THE QUESTION ...

After the last match of the semi-finals of the Inter County at Lambs, we went out to have a drink and a curry. A few of us, players, refs… Had a lovely time we had. And somebody asked me what I did try and write about when I was reporting about squash.

My answer is very simple.

I do love squash. I have been loving it for years. I’ve seen some of the greats (Jahangir, Jansher, Norman, Dittmar, Davenport, the Martin Brothers, Nancarrow ... you name them, I’ve probably seen them). I had the chance to work on different world events in France back in the “Glorious Years of Squash”, as in the 80s. I travelled and played in a lot of different countries, even continents. So, I know a few things about squash. I’m not an encyclopaedia like some of my colleagues who have an amazing knowledge, but I know a little.

But what I’m trying to do, when I’m writing for this column, is to try and make people feel the atmosphere of an event, whatever size or shape of the event, Inter County, Nationals, BSPA events, Canary Wharf Classic, etc. I would like them to live it as they were there. The matches. The sweat. The laughs. The pain. The gossips. The little stories that make great memories…

When I write for magazines, when I do interviews, it’s a different kettle of fish. I take my time. I learn all I can about the people I talk to. I try to understand who they are, inside. I make myself scarce in a way, because it’s the person that I interview who is the heart, who has the knowledge, the experience, the one who knows.

But when you do a column minute by minute, in a second language, you go for the live, for the funny, the original, the surprising.

So yes, I guess (well I heard) I may have surprised more than one reader, probably used to a more traditional writing style. I guess that some people could even be shocked, or annoyed at my way of writing.

Well, you must know my style by now. That’s who I am. Yes, I will write about women’s great outfits or lovely bodies. Yes, I will write about men’s great butts and change of shirts…. And yet, I will analyse the matches I see to the best of my ability.

If I shock you, or if you don’t like my style, I totally understand.

Don’t read me.

They are so many great writers around. You are spoiled for choice. So just ignore me, and read what the specialists write about. Ignore the amateurs like me.

And you know, I learnt a long time ago what Sting sings very well:

“Be yourself, no matter what they say”.

And anyway, I’m far too old to change….

Far too old…