Club History

The club has been in existence since 1976, when it first opened as St. Neots Leisure Centre. It was created from two cold stores for an apple orchard.The two were joined together creating the existing balcony space. The original external walls are still intact.

It is actually situated in Eynesbury Hardwicke and is some 3 miles from St. Neots and about 2 miles from Abbotsley.

The club initially boasted 5 courts, one of which was enclosed (i.e. no viewing balcony).

In the early days the club management (in particular John Richards its inaugural Part Owner/Manager) took a great deal of interest in running the club. A top class exhibition match was laid on between Paul Wright and Mohammed Yasin. Paul now runs a Squash Academy in New Zealand and I believe Mo Yasin is now coaching in Pakistan.

The initial opening had two courts (used to be courts 2 and 5) which could only be booked on the night via sign up lists outside the courts. This meant that one could always get a game on the night (with some wait maybe!). This was initially very popular with people playing 'til the early hours.

The Club was initially supported coaching and shop wise by Alf Droy and Dave King (sadly now passed away). One popular night they ran was Club Night. During club night anyone could come and sign up to play and take it in turn for 20 minute sessions, rotating until time had run out. This continues to be popular today.

A glass back court was erected in 1981 and opened by an exhibition match played 25-03-1981 by the then Cambridgeshire County first team, comprising Duncan Colquhoun, Terry Reynolds, Nigel Lucas, David Smith, Colin Usher and Steve Gray.

During the early 80's it was taken over by a leisure consortium and became "Eynesbury Hardwicke Squash Club".

In 1986 it was taken over (together with the Golfing side) by Vivien Saunders and was soon to be renamed "Abbotsley Squash Club".

During the early part of 1998, with membership numbers having dwindled considerably, 2 courts were turned over to a Fitness center.

In 2001 a 25 year lease on the whole complex (including Golf and Squash) was acquired by American Golf. This was further taken over by Crown Golf during 2005.

In 2009 the lease was rescinded and new management installed to run the club.

The complex has currently 4 courts, one of which is the glass back, and one of which is the enclosed court (i.e. no viewing). This has been recently refurbished as a training court by member Tony Gay who runs SCPS a professional Squash Court maintenance business. It was provided freely to the club. It "boasts" special markings to encourage shot control for serving drives etc,

From its hey day of  some 500 members, we are now down to a modest 40 ish adult members with a growing Junior section of almost 30 keen youngsters.

The current Adult members are an enthusiastic lot, and despite numbers still  manage to sport 4 teams in Cambs. SRA leagues.

The Juniors this year will also have three teams in the Cambs Junior Leagues.