News received tonight from the British Wrestlers Reunion of the death of Jackie Robinson.
The spring of 1969 saw the emergence of another of the family Robinson with young Jack following in the footsteps of his father, Alf, and cousin Billy. Coming from such a famous wrestling family expectations of the youngster were invariably high, but the new addition to the Robinson clan certainly did not disappoint. What he lacked in the power of his heavyweight predecessors he more than made up for with speed, agility and the wrestling knowledge that had been passed down to him. Trained by Alf and Billy, along with Ken Cadman, Martin Conroy and Jack Atherton, Jack's first few bouts saw him matched with youngsters like Dave Barrie and Paul Mitchell as well as experienced and highly rated Alan Wood, Mel Riss and Terry Downs. So he certainly wasn't given an easy start. In fact Jack had only been in the professional ranks a few weeks when he faced another youngster, Tony St Clair, at Belle Vue. In the 1970s, as the general standard of pro wrestling declined Jack Robinson was one of those who demonstrated that all was not lost, finding fans across the country with more than a dozen television appearances against quality opponents whilst bigger men were bringing the business into disrepute. For more than twenty years Jack Robinson was to remain at the top of one of the country's most competitive weight divisions, lightweight, three times holding the European lightweight championship
Thanks bazthomas for your memories. It's always good to hear from those with personal memories of the wrestlers.
Jackie was a great lad and a very good wrestler. Always positive and reliable and with a ready wit. Much missed by his friends from both the amateur and professional wrestling scenes. Eddie Rose ex Manchester YMCA AWA and later 20 years professional wrestling.
Jackie ,RIP mate lived next door to him for years he was a great bloke always had a smile and a good word I knew his dad and cousin Billy the family had the grocery store on our lane ,but of a.lad when he was younger ☺☺☺☺
I agree Graham. Thanks Eddie.
A nice tribute from Eddie Rose. Just watched Jackie versus Johnny Saint on YouTube. An excellent bout, demonstrating skill from both wrestlers. RIP Jackie Robinson.
A tribute to Jackie Robinson from his friend Eddie Rose
RIP
RIP Jackie.
R I P Jackie cracking lad fantastic worker, be very much missed,so many good memories.
Nice little piece at https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=148268
I hadn’t realised the connection to Billy!
RIP
I'm sad to hear of Jack Robinson's passing. I was actually at the show at The Gaiety Theatre, Rhyl, posted above where he met "Tiger" Delmonte. I saw him at this venue in particular on many occasions against the likes of Kevin Conneely, Keith Martinelli and Robert Scott. And one absolute classic when Crabtree first took over the reins and matched him with "Romeo" Joe Critchley!
He worked for me once at The Champness Hall, Rochdale, producing a fast-moving bout against Woody Waldo. I invited him to do more shows but he was worried that Max would find out and didn't want to jeopardise his regular work with Joint (especially as Crabtree was using him on TV quite a bit at the time with bouts against Peter Kaye, John Naylor, Johnny Saint and Bert Royal) by doing a one-off for an independent promoter. Indeed, he only appeared in Rochdale as a dep (I forget for who) and there was an appreciative murmur of recognition as he entered the ring. I think it was Abe Ginsberg who suggested him and passed his number on to me. So I am glad that at least I promoted him once.
Whilst the Big Daddies did their six minute bill-toppers, it was undercard stalwarts like Robinson that kept the whole thing ticking over and gave it credability. Rest In Peace.
Sad news , I rated Jackie and saw a lot of him.....RIP
So sad to hear that. Met him twice in Leeds at the reunion. He was verry nice and friendly. R.I.P.
Always a sad loss.
R.I.P. Jackie
R.I.P.