35 Years before his '70's 'Persona' of the 'Belly'Butt' Wrestler-SHIRLEY CRABTREE was almost
half that Man-in Weight and a Very Strong RUGBY League Player!-His 'Slimmer-Line' Incarnation
along with his Super-Strength made him the 'Perfect' Candidate to enter the Ranks of Professional
Wrestling!-In those Days he reminds me of another ex-RUGBY League Player-turned Wrestler Who was to follow him 30 Years Later-MAL KIRK!- Running into either/both these Solid,Colossal Men was akin to
Running into a Brick Wall!-It began for SHIRLEY in the Late 1930's in his Native YORKSHIRE-with the
HALIFAX Strongman 'Challenging' All-Comers!
Below in 2 Very Rare Bills we can Observe the Origins of a Man who Definitely left his Indelible Mark
on The Wrestling in this Country!
Here he is at THE EMPIRE-ROTHWELL-against a POLISH 'Strongman' KARISHAFSKI on
EASTER 'TUESDAY'??-APRIL 19TH 1938!!
MAIN MASK
Yes, Ron, I've found that signing for Streatham and Mitcham in July, 1935. But there is a bit more to his rugby playing.
There's also a report of him playing for Halifax as a front row forward in August, 1932, and requesting a transfer for £250 transfer fee. In November 1934 he returned to Halifax, with the report saying he has transferred from York.Negotiations completed for the transfer to London in May, 1935, signing reported in July. Then he ended up in Dewsbury in 1937.