On This Day 15th February

The Dangermen were a great team. Just off the top of my head, I saw them at King's Hall, Belle Vue, against The Judokas (Pete Roberts and Al Marquette), Honey Boy Zimba and Johnny Kwango and the pairing of Kevin Conneely and Bobby Graham. At The Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, I saw them against The Dennisons (Alan Dennison and Ted Heath) and The Barons (Ian Gilmour and Jeff Kaye). At The Gaiety Theatre, Rhyl, I saw them against the combination of Kevin Conneely and Peter Kaye and, at The Regal Ballroom in Alderley Edge, against The Royal Brothers. At The De Montfort Hall, Leicester, I saw them against The Saints and, at The Champness Hall, Rochdale, on a Brian Dixon show, against Klondyke Jim and Klondyke Bill.

I also saw Haggetty partner Bobby Graham and El Bandito. Outside the ring he was quietly spoken and very amenable.

I'm fine, thanks. This show was a standout. Kellett had so many good bouts before he worked for little people like me and would only appear with Klondyke Jake. Haggetty was one of his best foils along with fellow Yorkshiremen Bobby Graham and Lee Sharron. Underrated, Haggetty really was a class professional.

I was here for this one. Pete Roberts replaced Steve Veidor and, if I recall correctly, go through to the semi-finals within a few minutes of round one with a knockout karate chop to Yearsley. A pity, because it was my first live glimpse of Yearsley who rarely journeyed to Belle Vue and was hardly in the tournament before he was out of it! Ray Steele beat Ian Muir, Tibor Szakacs beat Bruno Elrington by disqualification and Gwynn Davies beat Roy St.Clair. Roberts became quite villainous against Szakacs in the semi-final where he was defeated. He came back into the ring in street clothes later in the card to take the microphone and apologise for his actions. He claimed that the opportunity to became British champion had clouded his judgement and caused him to act more aggressively than usual. Davies defeated Steele in the other semi-final and went on to defeat Szakacs in the final and become British Heavyweight Champion.

The tag match was a fast-moving affair and was actually Johnny Saint and John Naylor (winners) against Jeff Kaye and Mick Mc.Michael.

Even with the British title at stake, the attraction for many (including myself) was the return to Belle Vue of Les Kellett after a lengthy absence. A presentation of a large bouquet of flowers was made to him to pass on to his wife prior to the contest. Haggetty admired the bouquet then grabbed it from Les and smashed him with it for Kellett to completely lose his rag and throw Haggetty all over the ring; all before the bell had sounded for round one! Great stuff!

Very poor advertising. Grey v Cooper would have been worth watching. But we don't even know who was taking part in the main event apart from Big Daddy.

Wrestling overseas today, Dave Morgan defeated Frankie Laine, in Bakersfield, California, USA, on this day in 1973.

On our TV screens, on this day in 1975:-

Heavyweight: Roy St. Clair (Manchester) v Mike Marino (Streatham)

Middleweight: Gold Belt Maxine (Ellesmere Port) v Ivan Penzecoff (Bolton)

Mid-Heavyweight: Steve Logan (Brixton) v Romany Riley (Maidstone)

Carl Pojello retained his European heavyweight title against Padvo Peltonin (Martin Bucht) at Nottingham

50 years ago to this very Monday-D-Day we went decimal. In spite of the bracketed prices on the posters, it quickly cost more to get in to a wrestling show.

Progress!

Although only 15, I recall the TV bout between Royal and Kellett. Les took great exception to Bert's face-slapping tactics and it became a very ill-natured affair. Kent Walton was surprised and amazed at the turn which the match took.

Our local lad wrestling overseas today is Chris Adam, who was in winning form, beating Tiny Anderson in Portland, Oregon, USA in 1983.

On our TV screens, on this day in 1969: -

Les Kellett (1) v Bert Royal (1)

Josef Molnar (KO) v Pete Roberts

Quasimodo (KO) v Roy St Clair