Leading professional players will be rubbing shoulders (literally!) with some of the better amateur squash players around Gloucestershire at the start of next month.

That’s because the ever-popular East Gloucestershire Club squash doubles tournament, organised by professional Tom Ford, takes places on Saturday and Sunday, 3rd and 4th June.

It is the fourth time that 23-year-old Ford has organised the competition and it is going from strength to strength.

“We’ve got 27 pairs entered this time which is the most we’ve ever had,” said Ford. “It’s a great event and offers something different.

“It gives amateur players the chance to share a court with the professionals which is not something that they would normally get the chance to do.

“And because it’s doubles it tends to level things out a bit in terms of ability.”

So, what’s it like on court with four players competing for the centre ground?

“Crowded,” laughed Ford. “But that’s one of the enticing things about this tournament. Amateurs may be put off playing singles against a professional but in doubles the pressure is off a bit.

“Put it this way, they can have a runout with the professionals without the risk of a heart attack!

“There is a structure to doubles – everyone who plays squash has a certain amount of nous. Yes, there is less space on court and there will be a few bumps, but that all adds to the fun.”

Typically, in this tournament, the professionals will play with each other against pairs of amateurs and there is a plate tournament for first-round losers so there is more than one chance for competitors to go on court.

And unlike in tennis where players take it in turns to play shots, it is only the teams that have to take it in turns to play the ball which means that one player from either side could, in theory, almost have their own private match.

That does not happen, of course, and Ford is driven to make this tournament the best doubles event in the country.

“In the past, we’ve had former top 10 players like Fiona Geaves, Simon Park, Alex Gough and Peter Marshall take part,” he said.

“This year the top seeds are Johnny Harford and Jaymie Haycocks who are both very good players.”

Harford is well known on the Gloucestershire circuit as he is head squash coach at Wycliffe College but he will need to be at his best if he and his partner are to walk off with the £1,000 first prize as Ford is seeded two with his long-time friend Mark Broekman.

There’s plenty of motivation to do well in the tournament because there is £500 up for grabs for the runners-up and also squash-related prizes for the plate winners.

Ford is a seasoned campaigner in the event he organises, having played in it for the past four years.

So how many times has he won?

“I haven’t,” he laughed. “I’m still trying to work out the morals of whether it’s okay to win my own tournament!”

Ford now lives in Bristol but learned his squash on the courts around Cheltenham. The former Bournside School pupil is passionate about the sport and hopes the opportunity to play against the professionals will inspire the amateurs “to improve their game after seeing how fast they play”.

He also hopes a tournament such as this will help the sport to continue to grow in the county.

“Anyone can take part,” he said. “It’s a celebration of squash and shows that this county is one of the best in the country for producing squash players.”

Ford rose to as high as 60 in the world rankings last year but is currently taking a break from the professional tour.

Now ranked in the 90s, he said: “I still love playing but I want to explore other things.

“I’m still playing professionally for league teams so I’m still making a living out of the sport and I may well go back on tour at some stage.”