Closure of a squash court at the NSC prompted one wag - presumably a player - to serve this cheeky note, lobbing criticism at the ’rapid response team’.

The note posted on the door of one of the courts claimed that it has been shut for three months because of a ’few small drops of water’.

And crossing the red line, it adds: ’Our "Rapid Response Team" thinks it may possibly have the problem resolved within the next six months (we always strive to help).’

But hitting a return shot, a government spokesman insisted that the court, one of six at the National Sports Centre in Douglas, will be open again at the end of the week, following repairs.

She said: ’A leak in the ageing roof at the National Sports Centre in July led to water ingress onto one of the six squash courts, damaging its wooden floor.

’The court was closed and the floor protected to prevent further water damage.

Survey

’A roof survey recommended remedial repairs and these have been carried out and their effectiveness is being monitored.’

She said a company specialising in squash court flooring was booked several weeks ago but, such was its workload that it has only this week been able to attend the NSC to repair the damaged court floor.

Maintenance

’While in the island, that specialist company is carrying out routine minor maintenance on all six courts and two courts will be closed, on a rotational basis, this week, to allow this to happen,’ the spokesman said.

’All six courts will be open by the end of this week.

’In recent weeks, five courts have been plenty to accommodate bookings and no loss of earnings has occurred.’

The squash courts at the NSC were put out of action for almost a year following the devastating flooding that hit the venue on December 3, 2015.