1966 was a big year with England winning the world cup. Soon after Gordon banks transferred from Leicester to Stoke City. But at the Victoria Hall Hanley we had an iconic moment for Wrestling fans.
Wrestling was going great guns. Kendo was to defend himself in a return match about 8 weeks later and was tested a couple of times by Billy Howes that year and also Hans Streiger.
Four miles up the road in the Potteries town of Longton there was a nightclub that put on more wrestling shows that year than the Victoria Hall in Hanley. When I wrote the Manchester series , I spent time on Old Cinemas being converted to stadiums and the Manchester nightclub scene. At the time I said that no other town was quite like it.
Now I have come across a Cassino club known as La Boom Boom. Whilst hanley was Saturday nights La Boom Boom was Thursdays.
Enjoy these and click to open bigger in another screen if you need.
Maybe the Dr Death is Ted Beech , it won't be Lincoln. But look at Pete Roberts and Bertie Topham , John Hall , so prolific. Roberts was on one occasion billed from South Africa. Lady wrestlers too in 1966 , that was pretty early.
Some inventive billing.
A different Gorgeous George in with Roberts above , not Kendo's mate.
And Pete Roberts v Dr Death
Alas the Boom Boom hit a lot of trouble.
With meals served to 1.30 am the club ran very late indeed. It had a huge car park and people leaving were very boisterous , local residents complained.
The club was raided many times trapping underage drinkers. The police also got to work on the breathalyser and eventually something had to give. By March 1967 the license was revoked and never granted back.
The club limped on after that doing bingo and disco , but it led to the end of an era for wrestling there.
No longer having Galleries to show the bills , I share just some of what I found.
I wonder who organised the supply of wrestlers.
Wow Ron! Danny La Rue v American show host Steve Allen, a couple of Russians, Americans, an ex Canadian lumberjack, ‘giants’ and then the topper, Bobbie Pattinson “t.v.s’ greatest comedian’. Many a time, I said you can keep your Tommy Coopers, Eric Morecombe, Les Dawson and the rest. Bobbie Pattinson, he’d for me”
p.s. who or what was an Australina? Great stuff Roy, as usual!
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Would "Red Fireball Naylor" be a young John Naylor, I wonder?
That got me to checking our Gordon Corbett's boxing career and it's legit. 25 fights between 1957 and 1960, with 15 wins. Not bad at all. He lost his debut bout against the named chick Calderwood. He ko'd Billy Cornelius in 1958 and ended Billy's boxing career. Not bad again, considering Billy had won five and lost only twice.
A young Pat Roach at La Boom Boom and johnny Saint France ?????
Add South Africa and Stratford-Upon-Avon to the list of places Pete was billed out of.
Sam Betts says that in Manchester they wrestlers and the other performers were transported by mini bus between three clubs in one night.
A fascinating contribution Ron. Thank you.
Nice to catch Wild Angus doing some early work. Dwight Eidleman I take it is Sam Betts who could perhaps tell us something about La Boom Boom.
Judo Mike Margot.
Must be Alf. Gee he bumbled around for years trying to settle on a name.
And ended up tagging with Judo Pete. Completing the connection.
Here is another club in Stoke I think and seems to have taken the name Ali Babas.
This was Bertie Topham to a T. I am pretty sure he ended up with his own club.
Left , it must be Eddie Rose with the odd spelling. He could tell us about Ali Babas Night club.
Casino all night !!!
A fascinating collection Ron. "Two coloured savages" Doesn't it make you cringe. Promoters could have been one of the locals that crop up on them - John Hall, Jack Santos, Bill Ogden or George Goldie. We'll probably never know.
Great digging Ron!
I remember my parents going to Mr.Smith's club for a night of cabaret and bringing back Yana's autograph for me. I'm pretty sure that they also attended when Jimmy Young was in cabaret but had no idea that wrestling shows featured in the heady mix.
Hi Ron
As you have always said, we are still scratching the surface. You have delved deeply into so many of these Midlands towns and now, seemingly suddenly, you have hit gold once again. Just goes to prove your point.
The nightclub scene. We might be dismissive of it; but it's at least a good breeding ground. And if it happened in Potteries, it must have also thrived elsewhere. To explore!
Yup, certainly looks like a Pete Roberts promotion! Makes me to wonder how closely associated he was with Gordon Corbett, from nearby.
Some of the great independent names there - Spike, Undertakers, Lord Bertie - but also some unknowns. Hack will lap this up and tell us more ....
By the way: La Boom Boom!!!! Love the name!