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 By March 1967 the license was revoked and never granted back.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!