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Corby Commits to British Open Dates and Venue

Dec 24, 2001  by Martin Bronstein exclusive to Squashtalk © 2001 SquashTalk, may not be reproduced without express permission. 

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London, Dec 24 2001

A BRITISH OPEN WITHOUT PRIZE MONEY?
Mike Corby didn’t mince his words when talking about plans to ensure that British Open takes place in April 2002. Corby, owner of a string of squash and fitness clubs, is President of England Squash (ex-SRA) as well as vice-president of the World Squash Federation.

He won over 150 caps playing for England at squash and field hockey and puts the utmost importance on the Open taking place. Three years ago when it was about to be cancelled, Corby stepped in and underwrote the tournament to the tune of £45,000. Although there are rumors that he will again put up his own money, Corby will not declare himself, saying that if he does, everybody stops trying for sponsors. In this exclusive interview with Squashtalk’s Martin Bronstein, Corby revealed some of his plans and ideas.

MIKE CORBY: I just want to ensure that somehow or the other, the British Open happens. What I’d like to do is play all the earlier rounds at Lambs Club[in London], which might included the quarter –finals - I’m not sure yet. Then move to the championship court in Manchester which will be used for the Commonwealth Games. We’ll play either the semis and finals , or quarters, semis and finals for men and women as well as the over 35’s. The date will be as discussed, April 14-19.

MARTIN BRONSTEIN: How big is the prize fund?

MIKE CORBY: I’m not really interested in the prize money, I’m just interested in putting the British Open on. If we can get some prize money, all well and good, but if not whoever plays, wins the tournament regardless of prize money. I’m actually fed up with the way the professionals are pushing us around with the PSA. I just don’t like it. The professionals just want people to put tournaments on – they put very little back as far as I’m concerned. I want the British Open to take place, and that’s it. We’ll put it on with the money I raise or am prepared to put in. I’m going after sponsors and we have a number of people who are interested – one is talking in the £30-50,000 range, but I will not name names until they are signed up.

MARTIN BRONSTEIN: Will you underwrite it?

MIKE CORBY:I am not going to underwrite it because if I say I will do that, nobody else bothers. I may put up some money. What I would like to do is to get individuals or companies to sponsor the Age events. Instead of having one massive sponsor, I would like to have a number of people sponsoring Age events for say £10,000. I’d love to see the professionals there. I would love to see anybody who values the British Open and who wants to play in this historical tournament; it’s the Wimbledon of the world of squash. Whatever prize money we can put up, we will. Andrew Shelley of WISPA has already said the women will play for virtually nothing. They don’t care if it’s three thousand or thirty thousand pounds, Shelley said they will support us.

MARTIN BRONSTEIN: How much money will England Squash put up?

MIKE CORBY: England Squash have no money to put it in. Fablon owes England Squash well over £100,000 and we have taken over the winding up application [Note to American Readers: Bankruptcy proceedings] because the other complainant, the Ice Hockey group, has cut a deal with Fablon.

MARTIN BRONSTEIN: Has Fablon offered England Squash any sort of settlement?

MIKE CORBY: Fablon have offered us a settlement of 10p in the pound, which I think is derisory. We will be back in court in about a month.