James Barrington (January 4th 1960 – August 4th 2025) Obituary. Danny Lee writes..
Some really sad news, James Barrington who was highly ranked in England, as both a junior and a veteran squash player, passed away on the 4th August 2025. James, who was 65, had suffered from cancer and various complications for the past 9 months. He excelled at tennis, squash (Cambridge University blue each year 1979-1981, captain in his last year as well as winning his match each year), golf (single figure handicap) and cricket (Cambridge blue 1982). His majestic ball-striking and fine touch was impressive in all of these sports.
Squash was James’s great passion. He was part of the England national Under-19 squad, where his team mates called him “Jonah”, he represented Sussex at county level and was also a member of the Brighton team which took the prestigious Banbury National Club’s title.
He was no relation to Jonah and Joey Barrington but his father John was the British Junior Open (Drysdale Cup) winner in 1947.
After Cambridge he joined the Swire Group in the Far East, becoming a main board director of Cathay Pacific before retiring to Wimbledon whilst keeping a place in Hong Kong. He represented Hong Kong at both squash and cricket on many occasions and was a member of the Jesters Club. James was instrumental in instigating and retaining, for 35 years, his company’s sponsorship of the Hong Kong Open. He kept his squash standard high, loved hitting with the pros and being fully involved with this elite event. He even had a game or two with Jahangir Khan. He encouraged Cathay Pacific to sponsor other tournaments and players, often helping with travel arrangements.
James always expressed the opinion that Cathay Pacific’s squash sponsorship was mutually beneficial and a fantastic marketing and PR tool for the company.
He enjoyed playing in vets squash events and played in the World Masters, British Open and British Closed Championships. On his trips back to England he would visit old squash-playing friends both to practice and socialise. In 2022 he won the Jesters British Amateur over-60s Championship.
I’m sure that James Willstrop wouldn’t mind the obvious comparisons of stature, timing and swing elegance with his older, amateur namesake. “JB” would turn up in Pontefract to see Malcolm and James W for occasional squash games during his travels.
Demonstrating further his all-round sporting ability, he became the oldest ever debutant when representing Lancing College at golf in the Halford Hewitt Cup in 2022.
After retiring from work in 2021 James and his wife Reggie bought a house in Wimbledon, where they spent plenty of time. He was a much appreciated volunteer at The Optasia Championship and relished the opportunity to watch top class squash on his doorstep. He continued to play for Wimbledon Squash & Rackets Club and latterly in veterans’ events until his knees couldn’t take the strain, subsequently pushing his golf game to new heights.
A favourite “JB” story is during a round of golf with Tim Henman, who had just retired from pro tennis, the subject of conversation turned to squash. Tim was loving getting back into the game and was becoming pretty good. James sensing a good “wagering” opportunity exaggerated his stoop and limp before issuing a challenge “I bet that I can beat you“! “
What shall we play for?“ asked Henman, expecting an answer like “lunch” or “50 quid“. JB’s reply, firmly backing himself, was “£5,000”. Tim must have regretted his acceptance after losing a close 3-0! It’s uncertain how the bet was settled but it’s the story that’s priceless.
He was a brilliant, true friend to those “A-listers” who were privileged to spend quality time in his company and a charismatic character who could capture attention, without trying, in any room.
James loved banter and had a wicked sense of humour. He relished talking about sport and the exploits of his mates and acquaintances. He was fair, loyal, generous and boy, he could whack a ball!
James will be greatly missed by his wife Reggie, daughters Tash and Zoe, and their husbands Fitzy & Henry.
Alex Betts writes… One short recent story: when James was first diagnosed in November 2024 there were numerous emails flying around to get as many former Oxbridge squash blues to attend the Centenary match and dinner at the RAC in February 2025. In inimitable style, JB hijacked the email thread to identify who had played and won all 3 individual matches (assuming 3 year degree) and been on the winning side and been captain at least once. He observed that John Cordeaux was one of the candidates for this achievement while questioning whether John actually got his degree! There was no initial mention of his own candidacy for this, of course. He then moved the thread on to the Oxbridge squash GOAT as the group of people on the thread got ever larger. It was no surprise that he became the self-appointed judge, brilliantly dismissing other people’s suggestions with John Cordeaux being crowned GOAT ahead of Nigel Broomfield (also former amateur champion in 1957 & 1959) and himself, with the words: “The fact that Cordeaux handled the whole RAC tie issue [i.e. getting into the club without wearing one] without making the national newspapers only strengthens his case”. This was all done from James’s hospital bed. A man of many talents.