BOWDON Club has unveiled its new state-of-the art squash facility with a guest appearance by Nick Matthew, the most decorated British squash player of all time.

Serial champion Nick officially opened the new show court and provided an evening of world class squash entertainment for the sell-out crowd of more than 100 members.

His achievements include a number 1 world ranking; three world titles three times British Open Champion and two Commonwealth Games gold medals,

The centrepiece of the £180,000 project - financed by the club’s own 10 year fundraising drive and an Inspired Facilities Grant of £75,000 from Sport England - is a brand new, glass-backed, show court and Bowdon’s own Adam Murrills, ranked 86th in the world, took on Nick on the night in a showpiece game at the South Downs Road club.

The new chairman of the Squash and Racketball Section, Steve Kettle, said: "I feel I am taking over on the crest of a wave.

"Thanks to Sport England and the support and commitment of our members, we have new facilities, new changing rooms and new courts. There’s a lot going on and we are delighted to be a very active member of the local community."

The event was sponsored by Handlesbanken and Ian Noke, branch manager of the bank’s Altrincham branch and a Bowdon Club member, said that they were delighted to be involved.

He said: “It was a great event and Handlesbanken was proud to support a facility that is used and enjoyed by so many local people.

Mr Kettle added: "These are very exciting times and I am confident that the fantastic new facilities will be a real boost to all existing members and, hopefully, to a generation of new members."