Maybe this thread is a little bit special for William R who lives up this way , and Phil Kenyon who wrestled here in 1964 along with many stable mates. Our "Ack" as well a Lancashire Lad from Leyland and myself.
With regards to myself , being from the South side of Manchester it was not that bad exploring the coast of North Wales and also the coast up as far as Blackpool. As a boy , no motorway meant a long journey in terms of time , so Southport and Blackpool were always easier. But as a young man we took the kids to Pontins at Middleton Tower and I got to know Heysham Village , the Lune Estuary , in particular Sunderland Point and of course Morecambe.
Pontins was also a great base to get over to Grange-over-Sands and Cartmel as well.
I even helped put up a ring in Pontins and take it down again as the wrestlers were off to Prestatyn to do a second show. In Morecambe I had a fleeting meeting with Steve Logan , working on the sea front on a fair.
It's not had that much mention and this week I find so much of Gerry Hoggarth working here.
But lets have a look at what I have found. (Click for a larger view.)
A repeat of the bill again with Phil Kenyon
But above the chance to see again which guys Phil knew so well.
Immediately a new spelling of Andros Zchich
I still have doubts that we have his real name.
Roy Okrododo , is that another name for someone we know.
Joe Reid and his son The Great marcus , opponents in tag.
Don Plummer , the Red Devils , Ian St John.
the Monster , Bertie Topham and Dom Pye.
Yes Morecambe , just tucked away that bit further up north , providing maybe a slight difference in regular Roster to many other towns.
This is just an opener. the Main Venue was The Winter Gardens , but we will cover the Central Pier as well.
Just a couple more below. Still the Floral hall but in 1965 and what looks to be stolen identities wrestling at the Broadway Hotel. Green Asp , that's an old one.
Who can tell us more on 40 stones Klondyke Bill Yukon.
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RON HISTORYO....Time Cop,
1d
Replying to
Hack
John Brocklebank
Magnificent Ron. For me a 57 year search has ended with your picture of John Brocklebank, who I came across at Fleetwood around 1966/7/8 with a confirmation of his Cumberland heritage. Another of life's small mysteries ended.
I notice the poster reads "Klondyke Bill. Yukon" so my thoughts are that the wrestler is Klondyke Bill and Yukon is his supposed base. When I promoted in the West Midlands I used a wrestler called Billy Yukon who worked a very good bout with Pete Evans but he certainly wasn't a heavyweight.
Peter
Mar 04
In the States during Wrestlemania week a lot of the Indy Promoters have midnight events and they are choc a block. In Morecambe in July with the late sunsets I expect enough fans would be attracted to make it worthwhile after an evening in the pub
I'd also add that in the 1960s there would be a bit of excitement about being on holiday and going to the wrestling at midnight. These were the days when pubs stopped serving at 10.30 and the tele usually shut down around 11.00. I remember around 1970 going to a cinema in Preston that once a week showed a film starting at midnight. The only reason me and my mates went was because it started at midnight. And an innovation of BBC2 was the showing of the Midnight Movie on Saturday when the other channels had shut down.
Interesting bill Ron, in particular:
Tag match between Joe Reid and Don Boardman vs. Jim Bevan (Joe's Brother-in-Law and The Great Marcus (Joe's Son.
Never seen them billed together.
Triple Promotions: I asked some time ago in another forum, who was behind this promotion. I didn't get any positive answer at the time. My query was about the wrestling that took place in Kirkland near Fleetwood. I’m sure that Al Strickland had something to do with the promotion, as I got paid from him at the end.
Some Indy's from 1963 with interesting names. (Click for bigger image)
Maybe Hack can tell us if Triple Promotions is three people. Looks like Dom Pye being one of them. Maybe Casey too and note Tony Zale/Earl McGrath are headlining a lot. I am only guessing...help !!!
In the States during Wrestlemania week a lot of the Indy Promoters have midnight events and they are choc a block. In Morecambe in July with the late sunsets I expect enough fans would be attracted to make it worthwhile after an evening in the pub
A great thread Ron, thanks. A great Boxing Day bill, but would it pull the crowds on that day. I can't see the midnight start time being popular with the wrestlers. It must be over 40 years since I went to Morecambe.
1969 proved a difficult year for Relwyskow and Green. During the year they did some Sunday shows and the Winter Gardens got into dispute with the council over their entertainment license. The argument ...Was Wrestling a Sport or an Entertainment.
For Boxing day Wrestling was back. Maybe the promoter had missed a bigger venue , but for sure put the special on above.
Below they found a short term home at yet another Morecambe Venue. Significantly Wrestling was at Midnight after the entertainment. Can't imagine how well this went down especially on a Thursday with late bars until 2.30am and work the next day. But then again it was Holiday season for the visitors. The promoter made the point on the advert that he will not be promoting at the Winter Gardens.
In 1970 the Alhambra was badly damaged in a fire and closed , so my next task is to go into the 1970's and see what happened to Wrestling.
A great thread I'm enjoying, though no idea about your Central Pier mystery.
I look forward to you following this up William. Over the last near twenty years I have mentioned the name Big John Brocklebank, since seeing him on a Fleetwood poster mid 1960s.
My guess was that it was an early Jock Cameron, but this was dismissed by Lee Scott who promoted with Jock at Fleetwood. Lee couldn't remember John Brocklebank!
Much appreciated Ron thanks again
On a non-wrestling note, the 1964 Morecambe Floral Hall bill notes an upcoming appeareance from Reverend Black and the Rocking Vicars, which would have included an 18 year old Ian Fraser Kilmister. You may know him better as Lemmy.
Hi Ron,
I'm fighting fit again, at least out of bed and walking around. I mentioned that I had a couple of questions for you:
On one memorable occasion 1963-4 I was on the same bill as Dirty Dominic Pye vs. Cowboy Jack Cassidy. Ian St. John vs. Andreas----. Any Poster of this meeting?
I'm not sure which Promoter was promoting the shows, can't find any names. We from Accrington got our bookings from the gym owner Bob Bannister.
Cheers
Great stuff Ron thanks for the memories of the great days we had wrestling in Morecambe.
I have a few questions, but at the moment I’m in bed with a heavy cold, but as soon as I’m fighting fit, will get back to you.
Cheers
Let's have some more. Same period , The Winter Gardens and the Pier. (click for bigger)
And still no answers yet on the Ballroom v The Theatre. Great bills from a Golden Age.
Filmed for TV , an afternoon show. And a grudge pair of matches with Logan and Kellett.
I bet they had a pint later. Don't know when Logan moved to Morecambe. Looks like he might live there even at this point.
williamr
20m
Guy Mitchell of Shipley - who he? (I don't think he'll have given Eric Taylor any heartaches by the number, or made him feel like singing the blues)
Guy Mitchell was no relation to the Mitchell family. I know very litlle about him but do know that the Mitchell family were not happy with his use of the name.
Here he is
Guy Mitchell of Shipley - who he? (I don't think he'll have given Eric Taylor any heartaches by the number, or made him feel like singing the blues)
A wonderful posting Ron. The Central Pier bills confirm my thoughts that Big John Brocklebank WAS a member of the famous C & W wrestling family fromTewitfield, near Carnforth.
I'm now going to make a serious study of your presentations and will no doubt be commenting further.
Thanks again my friend.
Back in 1961 and the Main venue , the Winter Gardens , I could not help but notice one time only visitors Baron Von Heczey and Chief Meretana , who I featured in the Madras series.
True Globetrotters.
Mick and Jackie were there in 1967 with a star studded cast.
One question I would like answering is the use of The ballroom and The Theatre. The Theatre comanding the higher price.
Were they expecting to Sell Out that night.
Or in fact were they one and the same.
The ballroom mentions "Standing"
Rival Venue the Central Pier throws up different names. Not come across Cheyane.
Again Central Pier and do we see a 1967 Shirley Crabtree working part time at this point.
Is this the period he had all but retired and was working as a life guard in Blackpool. Oh , but the bill says he is the European Belt Holder. Some of those names , look to be Pure Made up.
Ah yes. The Broadway. My aunt regarded it as a very disreputable and dangerous place and one to be avoided in the late 1940s/50. A den of iniquity so to speak. Am I right in thinking it billed itself as having the longest Bar in the North ? I've no idea when it started promoting.
Did Morecambe have an evening paper of its own or would it be the Lancashire (Manchester) Evening News.
I did see one of those (un)masked men one Boxing Day . Not unmasked which meant he could appear later. First on the bill, lasted a round or so and not surprisingly we were never told who it was.