A PLAQUE will be unveiled at Sandyhills for Skipton's Derek Ingham's services to squash on December 2.

Ingham died aged 85 in September and was renowned as 'The Grand Old Man of Squash' after playing the sport into his late eighties.

The veteran played and coached for more than 40 years, competing nationally, running squash 'ladders' and organising competitions, until he gave up the game when he was 82.

Ingham managed to bring the big names of the sport to Sandylands with the likes of former world number three Simon Park, England Ladies number two Vicky Boatwright, and former world ladies number three, Madeline Perry.

The Skipton man only discovered the sport when he was 42 after a work colleague had mentioned that he should give it a go.

Ingham played at Sandylands ever since qualifying as a coach with England Squash, inviting top players to Skipton and encouraging young people to take up the sport.