Squash: Barrington dismissed in SRA economy drive: Britain's greatest player in the history of the game may be forced to seek coaching work abroad

JONAH BARRINGTON, the six- times British Open champion, has been sacked as director of excellence with the Squash Rackets Association.

Barrington, who has been responsible for the training programmes of England's top professionals for the past five years, is a victim of the SRA's economy measures.

Barrington, 52, will leave his job at the end of the year, although he may still be wanted as a consultant, mainly for promotional activities.

This is of little comfort, however, for Barrington who will be writing to the SRA's exceutive director, Julie Goodacre, to find out just what work he may be given. If he is dissatisfied, it is likely that Britain's greatest player will seek new employment abroad.

'Over the last three years I've received a lot of offers from abroad and I've turned them all down because I want to help England get back to the top,' Barrington said.

'I'd hate to be in a situation of having to go elsewhere but unless the SRA can guarantee something postive - and that means viable with job satisfaction - I would have to think in terms of going abroad.

'I have to make a living. I think I have a special talent for coaching and motivating players - and if I have to put that talent on the open market then so be it. I am a tracksuit man and I want to be at the sharp end of the sport.'

Barrington has been associated with the SRA since 1979, when he set up the first of a series of junior coaching squads which produced several of the England's leading contemporary players, including Peter Marshall, Simon Parke, Del Harris and Tony Hands. He was given the job of director of excellence in 1988.

His last task is likely to be as coach to the England squad for the World Championships in Pakistan in November.