On This Day 24th October

By now we all understand it wasn't just about the big names that everyone knew. Yes let's acknowledge that the likes of McManus, Pallo, Kidd, Kellett had outstanding talent and deserved all the praise they have received.

But we also acknowledge that for every big name there were hundreds of others unsung heroes, many unknown outside their geographical working area. And so we remember Jim Isdale, a regular of the Scottish circuit who died two years ago.

Jim Isdale (Also known as Jumping Jim Farrell )

Not to be confused with our other Jim Farrell this was Jim Isdale, the taller and the younger of the two wrestling Isdale brothers that enlivened the Scottish wrestling scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Jim was a founder member of The Old Mossblown Wrestling Gym, joining as a sixteen year old in the late 1960's. He progressed under the tutelage of Dale Storm and eighteen months later had his first professional bout, a welterweight of considerable ability. . His friendship with the Mossblown lads and connection with Scottish wrestling was to endure for more than fifty years until the time of his death.

As a professional wrestler in Scotland Jim had to travel many miles to his wrestling engagements, a career he combined with that of an engineering mechanic. Following a few hectic years Jim took the decision in April, 1973 to join the RAF Regiment, a specialist corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. Its principal purpose is to counter adversaries, wherever and whenever necessary. The wherever for Jim was in Northern Ireland.

Subsequent injury meant he was invalided out of the armed forces and Jim returned to civilian life in September 1979. He resumed his relationship with wrestling, serving as a Master of Ceremonies and referee for Spartan Promotions.

At the inaugural Wrestlers' Re-Union Scotland meeting in Ayr in June 2017, Jim the only surviving sibling graciously accepted Awards in Remembrance of his brothers Bobby and Ronald.

Jim Isdale died on 24th October, 2020. His friend for more than fifty years, Dale Storm, said, "He was a loving family man and a wonderful human being, and he'll be sadly missed by the many friends he made in Wrestling."