York and Wigginton will both have teams competing in the premier division of Yorkshire Squash League in the coming season.

It will be the first time in history that two teams from the York area have played in the highest division.

York, who have three professionals in their squad have played in the premier for several years but this will be Wigginton's debut.

They were a division two club last season but have been accepted into the premier because York sports dealer Ian Tooms, of IT Sports, has agreed to sponsor the team who will compete under the title IT Sports Wigginton. Tooms manages the squad which has Matthew Lowery as captain.

Paul Hargrave, last season with York, has switched to the Wigginton outfit and other professionals are Martin Dezu, from the Czech Republic, and Duncan Walsh, like Hargrave, an ex-England player. Lowery and Tooms are the other members of the five-man team.

York will again have Adam Toes as their top player and the other professionals are Mark Blowers, who was with Pontefract last season and Paul Spencer. Jamie Hopwood and newcomer George Bannister, a young player from Hull, are the first team amateurs.

York champion Nathan Hill has dropped down into the second team while Matt Inglis will be out of action until Christmas with an ankle ligament injury received while playing football.

York also have a new sponsor this year - Livingwell Leisure - in addition to Minster Windows, which supported the club last year.

The Yorkshire League fixture list has matched York and IT Sports Wigginton together in the opening match of the season at Clifton Park tomorrow (7.30pm).

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, September 11, 2001