I have jut finished reading Rob Cope's book about Haystacks and I thoroughly recommend it to Heritage members.
I knew Haystacks fairly briefly, firstly when he wrestled for Brian Dixon at the start of his career after being introduced to wrestling by Salford's Billy Graham. I found him a bit off-putting at first; monosyllabic and unsmiling and, with that huge physique, a little bit frightening.
The book discusses his early life in Ireland, a section dealt with sympathetically and accurately for my own grandparents on my mother's side came from a similar area and backgound to Haystacks. He came over to live in Salford and later Bury, two places with many associations for me including my current home in Holcombe Brook, north Bury.
I worked mainly for the Independent promoters and followed his career with Joint Promotions from that aspect. He did well. He used his physique and his character to become a world class "name" without ever becoming a great wrestler. Later, our paths crossed especially when he came to live in Bury.
I met him on a number of shows but more importantly I met him socially in and around the town and formed a very different opinion of him. He was much more sociable and had a sense of humour as we chatted about wrestling and opponents and about Ireland. I would not claim to be a close friend but a friendly acquaintance and I was shocked and saddened when he became ill and eventually died.
He certainly made a big impression on the wrestling scene and many were saddened at his premature death. Rob Cope's book tells his story sympathetically and gives us an insight into this famous wrestler.
Eddie Rose (Manchester)
very well written Eddie as usual,totally agree when he first started he appeared aloof but I believe this to be s case of new to the game and who to trust coupled with shyness,when Billy brought him the game he was very unsure I remember Cassidy using him on the Holdsworth one thing was noticeable he was much more mobile than in later years. I'm looking forward to Robs book I'm sure it'll be so much better than Shirley's book.