Nick Gatward, 1959-2013



Sad news that Nick Gatward has passed away very suddenly in hospital.



He was not only a very close personal friend, but has been a stalwart for Cheshire Squash, and England International and Masters National Champion. We had some fantastic times all over the UK playing inter-county, especially in the North East and Durham.



Within my years involved Cheshire squash, and the North West Counties League, Gatward was a star. When we played for Chester Rugby Club in the NWCL, with John Clark, our number one was a very young and shy Peter Nicol !



He was the very, very best of people a great friend to all with fantastic sense of humour, a brilliant player with fantastic racket skills.



His passing has been posted on facebook and comments have been made from players from all over the UK.



Gats will be remembered by everyone who met him, both on and off the squash court, and our thoughts are with his Em his wife and daughters, Mia and Eva at this very sad time.



Andy Nickeas Sad news thathas passed away very suddenly in hospital.He was not only a very close personal friend, but has been a stalwart for Cheshire Squash, and England International and Masters National Champion. We had some fantastic times all over the UK playing inter-county, especially in the North East and Durham.Within my years involved Cheshire squash, and the North West Counties League, Gatward was a star. When we played for Chester Rugby Club in the NWCL, with John Clark, our number one was a very young and shy Peter Nicol !He was the very, very best of people a great friend to all with fantastic sense of humour, a brilliant player with fantastic racket skills.His passing has been posted on facebook and comments have been made from players from all over the UK.Gats will be remembered by everyone who met him, both on and off the squash court, and our thoughts are with his Em his wife and daughters, Mia and Eva at this very sad time. I am saddened to read about Nick.



What on earth happened, he is far too young to have passed away. I am not on Facebook and therefore all I know is the brief bit on SS.



I knew Nick from my Cheshire days. He always had a friendly face and a great laugh to be around.



He was a joy to watch on court and all that needs to be said is ‘what a loss’. My thoughts are with his family.



Linda Davie



I am deeply saddened by the news of Nick's passing. He was a fantastic player and great bloke.



My thoughts are with his family.



Danny Lee It is very sad to hear of Nick passing away,he was a fantastic squash player and in my opinion one of the most talented players that graced the sport.



I can go back to 1977 when he was one of the best juniors in England and he gave me such a thrashing at Warrington Sports Club, and I thought that is how I want to play squash and it shaped my game and coaching career. We would always meet up over the years and reminisce about that match.



He was also very humble and understood the sport. I would always seek his opinion about the modern player and we used to compare it with the past which is never a good idea, but he was positive about the modern game. This is how talented he was,



I remember playing him in the Wrexham Open when I was in the top few in England and felt nervous as he was so gifted that he took the first game and it always reminded me of the thrashing I got as a junior all those years before.



My prayers are with his wife and family at this time as he was truly an unique person.



Love, David Pearson Devastated to hear the news of Nick’s passing, as a junior I learned a lot from watching Gats…a very talented and skilful player!

We played Yorkshire league together for Ilkley for a season and enjoyed the conversations we had.



My thought are with his friends and family at this very sad time...love to his wife Em and his two girls Mia and Eva



Nick Taylor Such sad news about Nick. I didn't know him well but I have a very strong memory of him in my career. We played on court 4 at Harrogate Squash Club and to this day I reckon it was one of my hardest, most challenging matches ever.



Talk about tough! Not just fitness wise but ideas. I managed to scrape through in 4 but I felt like I had reached a milestone and just beaten Jahangir Khan!



Considering that match was probably around 1986 I remember it like it was yesterday. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.



Simon Parke We played in the same team together many years ago in NW counties and those were some of my favourite seasons as I enjoyed his company so much. A great player, great person and a tragic loss.



Hadrian Stiff I am deeply saddened of Nick's passing. Such a talented player and such a great guy.



Being raised in the Chester area and played in north west counties I remember how much of a great reputation he had and a great personality.



My thoughts are with his wife and family.



Paul Mathieson Nick Gatward was a wizard with the racket. I can remember playing him on the glass back at Chester Rugby Club….



The court always seemed so much bigger when you played Gats. I’d hit a lob above his head and I kid you not, Nick facing the wrong way, ie the glass, hit a winning volley boast with his eyes closed as the ball was over head. It was outrageous.



“Didn’t tell you I’ve got a special eye in the back of my head,” he said with a smile. Ace fella.



Peter Astbury - Warrington So sad to hear the news of Nick's passing. Like many in the North West, I have great memories of Nick both on and off court.



He was a true gent to play and I'll keep fond memories of our battles! A sad loss.



Yawar Abbas So shocked and saddened by the news of Nicky Gatward's passing. New him from my days playing Chester And District Badminton Leagues where Nick used his squash skills to bamboozle us.



So sorry I never got to see him on a squash court but heard many reports of his natural brilliance and talent. Rest in peace my friend...



Andrew Torbet



Comments on Facebook I woke up this morning to find out the passing of Nick Gatward.



I'm really shocked and saddened. A true gentleman with a great sense of humour. A hugely talented left handed squash player who could find shots from anywhere. I'm honored to have played in the North West counties league with him and against him.



My thoughts and prayers are with Nicks family and everyone associated with this great man. RIP my friend.



Clive Leach Devastated and deeply saddened.



I recognise the SS picture from the Masters Home Internationals in Nottingham. He was without doubt a modest gentleman, a very gifted squash player a National Champion and an England Masters International.



I am proud to say I played against him and it was a honour and a lesson I will not forget.



Clark Adam What terribly sad news. Nick was a hugely respected figure on the national squash map and in Cheshire - as a big part of our close squash family - he was almost mystical.



Everyone has a story about Nick and every one would emphasise his cheerfulness, sportsmanship and great character. Everyone loved him, though on court this love was often stretched by him yet again sending his opponent the wrong way, and perhaps with a cheeky little grin to rub it in.



One of the few genuinely great talents and someone whose very name evoked warm affection.



My sincere condolences.



Robert Forde I am very sorry to hear of Nick's passing. I have very fond memories of playing alongside him for Chester rugnby club on a tuesday evening.



He was a joy to watch on a squash court and had a real "squash brain". He saw the game in a different way and as a young professional at the time I felt I learned lots by being in the same team week in week out. Off he court he was equally as enjoyable to be around and he will be missed greatly.



My thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time. R.I.P Nick.



Jethro Binns So very sad to hear of Nick’s passing.



It was a great privilege to play in the same team as Nick when he played in the Shropshire League.



As a left hander I loved watching him play, he was an immensely talented player, the times I watched him turn his opponents inside out with his ability and skill never ceased to make me smile.



In the bar after he was always great company and ready to join in with the post match banter, a genuinely nice bloke and a true gent.

My thoughts are with his family.



Dave Edwards I was deeply saddened to hear of Nick



I have had the pleasure of knowing Nick for many years. Playing against him in the early 1980's and getting resoundly beaten and, in more recent times, playing in the same team for Chester Rugby Club. He was one of the most gifted squash players I have ever seen and always enjoyed watchin him play. On court and off court Nick was a true gent, always having time for everyone and always with a laugh and a joke. I will miss him.



My thoughts are with his family.



Dave Whitehead Very sad to hear about the loss of Gats. A local squash legend who will be remembered as a guy with huge talent and a huge character. Like most of those who knew him we will all have a story to tell. RIP



Paul Kettle