One upon a time Todmorden was in both Lancashire and Yorkshire. Normally Lancashire to Yorkshire you think of going over the top and dropping into Huddersfield. But not so Todmorden. I am very familiar with the road from Rochdale through Littleborough , through Todmorden and out the other side to Hebden Bridge. Not over the top but right through the middle of huge hills. The only other road into Todmorden is from Burnley. The crossroads where these roads meet is where the Town Hall is, It's a tale of the Town Hall as well , which had a capacity of only 250 people for events. Before I push on though , I will show you that earlier than the Town Hal there has been an effort to show wrestling in the market place.
Nothing much there to say it was the big time . but one or two familiar names , and certainly links to catch wrestlers.
Ten years later some sort of connection to Joe Reid and Jim Bevan , But for me under the creativity of Sean O'Shea , who I believe was Paul Jefferson.
So that's the Market Place to the Town Hall
Click for bigger image.
Fast forwards to 1962 and 1964 , Joe Reid and Jim Bevan are still at it. Joe and Jim put on legendary long bouts together , often eight rounds of entertaining stuff. Not quite clear who is promoting , there are plenty on these bills that have done a bit of promoting. This is going to be a tale of various Promoters having a go.
There is enough here for now to study and names to untangle. All for now , but soon some more to come.
For such a small population Todmorden attracted some very impressive cards
But who was Pete Pye?
Todmorden has now a permanent home on the Wrestling Heritage website
https://wrestlingheritage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/todmorden-.pdf
Continue to leave comments here in the forum.
Jack Dempsey of London surely can't be Jack Dempsey of Wigan. An odd collection of independents that makes it difficult to put the finger on the promoters, though Sean O'Shea looks behind the 1960 ones.
Great finds, Ron.
Our Ray Steele who debuted about 1970 was about 22 when he started so it can't be him. And I don't think a Yorkshireman would be wanting billing from Lancashire.
Have to say, these are quality handbills, with attractive descriptions. Some of the best independent written work I have seen. I guess they were all striving to be like the TV promoters at that time, with stars in their eyes.
Mildly surprising to see Linde Caulder top of the bill.
The truth is now out about Hack's previous in-ring career. That Lancashire accent he affects so strongly and sometimes convincingly is just to disguise his real German origins.
Not cheap I'd venture to say for 1959 in Tod; eight bob for ringside seats. I love the touch of sophistication at the foot: ALL SEATS NUMBERED. Real hi-tec!
Two more bills here from 1959 and the name of another promoter revealed.
Is this too early to be the Ray Steel that some of us remember.
Wonderful isn't it Anglo , especially if you know the place. I discovered it because I was sent to Gordon Riggs Garden Centre , some great prices and not too much bling. Just reading one bill that never got in the paper , a report of The Monster and The Ghoul in tag , on a Cape promotions. They all seemed to have a go at this venue. One of those pubs , I remember a Christmas sing song on the piano at Dinner time by some of the local;s. very loud and giddy but nice.
This one's gonna rock n roll, Ron as I join Mike and yourself in the Todmorden fan club. Some of my happiest seventies memories were at those magnificent country pubs The Shepherd's Rest and The Top Brink Inn. The family at the Shepherd's Rest sold up and moved to the stunning Pack Horse (The Ridge) at Widdop. I stayed plenty of times. They were friends with Harvey Smith and I worked hard at extracting wrestling memories of him, through them. I remember the magnificently named Mankinholes where these Todmorden pubs were. Hebden Bridge seemed like a metropolis by comparison. Carry on from Widdop over endless cattle grids up through Colne and then Accrington is closeby.
I digress.
Great bills again and I too am astonished that a place like Todmorden could have had so many bills.
There were three Harris sons off Jack , some mentioned above. I should just add this picture that I found.
As usual great finds Ron,
Todmordan is only a stone's throw away from Accrington, so very interesting for me!
That the bill from 23rd January 1965 had Ian Svajic vs Ray St John. and then in September 1965 we had Andreas Svajick vs. Ian St. John. So it looks like the promoter said "we can't have the same guys in the same year, so let's change the names around".
Another interesting find is that Joe Reid vs Jim Bevan they never seemed to stop, they just went on and on...........
Thanks for the memories and cheers
Phil
PART 2
1963 shows clearly that North West Promotions (Sean O'Shea) were promoting.
Country Boy Streiger a favourite of mine. Sitting Bull , a bigger character than you would think as it is not long ago I wrote the Madras series about Ben Wotijeski enacting that character over in India. The billing on Feb the 2nd is dead right about him touring and not a figment of O'Shea's imagination.
Of Course Doctor Death won't be the original. A very early Brian Maxine in against Black Prince. And on that bill L and J promotions I suspect would be Lewis and Jefferson combining for that show.
Onto 1965 (Click for larger image) Johnny Le Saint made me chuckle , no promoter named but O'Shea possibly in combo with Jack Cassidy. Busy boys StJohn and Svajic.
But then even Morrell and Beresford have to have a go in such a small venue. Did they find it unviable , note they trimmed six pence off the prices.
The cheek of it , Judo Hayes puts the prices up and very early (1965) for a girls bout. Pathetic use of familiar surnames like McManners. And I am not going to guess at who King Kong was.
Two more and no idea of the promoter on the first bill , maybe Chunky Hayes again. The second bill , North Western again (Wales) incorporated into the title , why I don't know.
Doubts over the Monster being Six Eight.
Mr and Mrs Crossley of the Town Hall could tell us so much more.
Finally some for the later 1960's. One being Max Crabtree's 20th Century Promotions.
Not sure if Mike McGrail was Mike McGurn who was Derek Oldham. Can't see The Munster being six eleven. Is Mal Crossley connected to the Crossley's at the Town Hall.
A very early Mel Hercules Kirk being on with Shirley. Batman and Robin on that bill who I believe from the report came in fantastic realistic attire.
Our resident Indy Supremo Hack , I am sure can add.
So as a conclusion , if you can fill the house (250) and take 8 bob a head , that £100 for the night. You rent the Hall , maybe the ring and an MC . The budget is tight. Some nights 10 wrestlers. If they got a fiver , that's £50. The mind boggles at the maths.
For me Todmorden , a great find , spent time there at least half a dozen times , great little compact indoor market 30 years ago and up the road , the wonderful Hebden Bridge.
Centre bill above claims a Mike Booth of Hebden Bridge in small print.
Talking of tales of the Promoters , some years later Brian Dixon had to give it a shot.