Inspector Peter Upton - Lancaster - Northern Division - Main Sporting Field - Squash

A total of three nominations were received and from evidence submitted by members the Sports & Social Club management committee decided unanimously that Inspector Peter Upton - Northern Division - should receive the 2003 Sports Personality Award.

Members of the Lancashire Constabulary squash section submitted a detailed report outlining the past sporting career of this very very talented squash player.

Peter joined the force in 1979 and was posted to Preston where he played divisional football, winning the Chief Constables' Cup at Bloomfield Road. He still plays in the Headquarters seven aside leagues at Headquarters each summer.

In his early sporting career Peter played No.1 at Badminton and also in local table tennis leagues for his police division. He has also been a talented tennis player winning the PAA North west Region six consecutive times.

Peter eventually played his way into the British Police Squash Team and was the only player to win all his matches when the force won the inter-services trophy five years ago.

He is the current holder of the Lancashire Police Open having won it six times and won the North West open four times.

He has played as No.1 for many years in the North West Counties League and despite one or two lucrative offers to play elsewhere, has remained loyal to the police team, having to play a little below his potential standard.

Peter has run, organised and entered each and every Lancashire Police squash competition for many years. He has always been extremely fit and had an uncanny ability to out-last opponents. His 'lob shot' is talked about in squash circles across the northwest and more recently across the country

Peter (left) at a later PSUK Championships having defeated Cumbria

colleague in the 2006 finals

Peter, now aged 47 has won the veteran 45 category in the PAA Nationals three successive years. Probably one of the most prestigious police sports titles.

In 2003 Peter played in the World Police and Fire Games in Barcelona to win his class outright and receive a prestigious gold medal. This was probably one of his most notable achievements so far and probably the highlight of his police, sporting career.

Over the years Peter has been an excellent ambassador for the force in every sport he has played. He is always modest about his achievements and abilities. He hasn't played in any competitions outside the police or services despite having had a number of offers made by squash sponsors around the world for free invitations to world squash competitions.

It is easy to see we have a real master of the game in our midst. He has been fortunate with injuries, never having a serious one, but this may be partly due to his rigorous fitness regime.

He is a true champion, and no doubt will be so for many years to come. In view of this and all the other outstanding attributes mentioned, Inspector Upton is a very worthy recipient of the 2003 Lancashire Constabulary Sports Personality of the Year.