On Friday it is 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre.
Many may not be aware that the Free Trade Hall was built on that very site.
Wrestling went on there in the 1930's , 50's , 60's and 70's that I know of.
Not only that , even Hackenschmidt was there back in 1902
I covered the story in the Manchester series part 1 . https://www.wrestlingheritage.com/freetradeshall
Ironically I came across an 1819 shilling when I was a kid. I looked after it.
Not a chance Peter , that was just the way Oakeley promoted.
Capacity came nowhere near Belle Vue at 2500.