Squash: Yorkshire Premiership

A strong Harrogate Squash Club side will be led by Anthony Ricketts, the Australian world No 11, now living in Ilkley.

The Premiership is one of the toughest leagues in the country, attracting some of the top players.

But Harrogate hope they can recapture the glory days of more than a decade ago when homespun international heroes Simon Parke and Aidan Harrison graced the team in days when the club hosted top national events.

Since then the club's future was in doubt until a few years ago. But now its resurgence has seen the club assemble a side fit for the Premiership challenge. And one which will send out shock waves to potential rivals.

Harrogate start their Premiership season on September 11 away to Pontefract second team.

Their eagerly awaited home debut will be against Sheffield side Hallamshire on September 25 (7.30pm).

Club coaching professional Paul Hornsby, who switched from Yorkshire League champions Pontefract to take the Harrogate post over a year ago, says of the season ahead: "We have got a very strong squad, but so have the current champions Pontefract.

"We certainly aim to get ourselves well established in the Premiership and if we can win the title that would be fantastic. A lot depends on which players are available at key times for various teams," said Hornsby.

Ricketts is one of the captures of the season in the Yorkshire League. Hornsby swooped to sign him after hearing he had moved to Ilkley to be with his girlfriend.

The 23-year-old is renowned for his attacking, aggressive style of play.

Other members of the squad include Kent's Paul Johnson, ranked in the country's top five and world No 2 junior 18-year-old Peter Barker from Sussex.

Joey Barrington, son of former world champion Jonah who did much to broaden the appeal of squash, has also joined Harrogate. Last season he played Premiership for North Leeds neighbours Chapel Allerton.

Now living in Nottingham Barrington junior plays for Somerset.

Hornsby himself, who is 23, will also play for the side, having previously played for the Pontefract club.

Harrogate-based American junior Chris Gordon, who has school work sent over from the States, is tipped for a bright future in the sport. He is coached at Harrogate by locally-based national coach David Pearson.

Gordon, set to make his Premiership debut this season, is about to compete in his first senior circuit tournament.

Also a member of the first team squad will be Simon Myring.

Harrogate secured promotion to the Premier League despite finishing runners-up. Their unexpected elevation came after York dropped out of the Premiership.

Rules preventing sides from playing a team of "imports" mean that Hornsby will only be able to use only two of his top four players - Ricketts, Johnson, Barker and Barrington - in any one match.

Harrogate is also fielding a second team in Division One.

Players include Jenny Duncalf, now bidding to make her mark on the senior circuit after creating such an international impact in her junior days; father and son Tony and Adam Nowakowski; Ross Kneller, who has just moved into the senior game and last season's first teamer Martin Wickenden.

The second team make their Division One debut at home to Queen's, Halifax second team on September 11 (7.30pm).

Financing a Premier League side does not come cheaply and the Harrogate club has secured sponsorship from local sources - Myring Heward estate agents, Norhern Pine Warehouse, Wilkinson and Stephens dining room centre along with Stanley's, the locally-based builders and decorators.

This coming season Harrogate will have five teams competing in the Harrogate League, the same number in the North Yorkshire League, in addition to their two in the Yorkshire League.