ONE of the world's most feared squash names has been snapped up by IT Sports Wigginton for the forthcoming season.

World number three Thierry Lincou will star for the York side as they aim to get back in the winning habit in the Yorkshire Premier League after a trophy-less season.

They finished fourth in the league despite a last-day victory over champions Pontefract and missed out on a third consecutive Yorkshire Cup final after losing 4-1 to Harrogate in the semis.

French ace Lincou, 28, was world number one at the start of this year and has nine world titles to his credit, his most recent coming from the Pittsburgh Open 2002.

His career was resurrected after a freak hand injury forced him out of action in the summer of 2001 which saw his rating slip to as low as 20. But he re-emerged in style, winning the Milo South African Squash Challenge to fire him back into the top ten, where he has remained ever since.

Joining him is Malaysian player Ong Beng Hee, currently ranked 20th, who turned professional at the age of 15. The pair last met at the semi-final stage of the PSA Qatar Masters in May 2003, where Lincou emerged on top after four sets.

Now aged 24, his career best ranking was seventh last November.

Both will form an integral part of the IT Sports team along with Irish number one Jon Rooney, former England players Paul Hargreaves and national number 16 Hadrian Stiff from Devon.

These professionals will be backed up by top class local players Matt Lowery, who is again captain, manager Ian Tooms, Jon Duffield and the ever-improving teenager Neil Cordell.

Updated: 10:55 Wednesday, August 04, 2004