I only remember Spike billed as Martin Robson and saw him topping Independent bills at Preston Public Hall in the early to mid 1960’s. A good wrestler.

All the very best Ron. 70 years young! You're a legend! Keep well my friend.

Derek Standing (The Talio Kid) was a talented water colourist and I remember seeing samples of his work at Gerry Hoggarth's bungalow. Gerry also used to mention John "Bomber" Bates (The Ghoul) being a talented sketch artist.

Yes, he was.

Yes, he was.

Never saw it advertised!

I remember Brian Maxine as a balding respectable journeyman welterweight in the early to mid 1960's. I was absent from the scene for a time thereafter but on regaining my interest in the early 1970's was surprised to find him billed as British Welterweight AND Middleweight Champion and wearing a toupee. He had also transformed into a villain of the ring. Why was Maxine the chosen one as opposed to other worthy and contemporary welterweights? To be fair, he was one of those who kept wrestling interesting before the late 1970's decline.

He must have been expert in counter moves.

I knew him better as Henri Pierlot. When did he change to Les Thornton?

A friend of mine volunteered as a second at one of Gerry Hoggarth's 1960's shows at Kirkland, Garstang, but received an accidental back elbow for his efforts.

The seconds on this bill were probably better known than the wrestlers!

Didn’t George Kidd defeat both Jim Hussey and Roy “Bull” Davies by 5-4, after receiving a three fall start?

Jackie Pallo had “never heard of P J Proby”, when he imitated his hairstyle.

Or that Al Nicol actually won a contest.

I wish I had been able to put this question to Gerry Hoggarth, as throughout his career he appeared to switch regularly between the two codes. In the circumstances it is surprising that when with Joint Promotions (mainly Relwyscow) he regularly topped the bill.

I recall Kent Walton for years describing Mick McManus as weighing 11st 10lb, when Southern Area Welterweight Champion. Suddenly, he became European Middleweight Champion and his weight shot up to a described12st 8lb, although he didn’t look a lot different. I remember a farce of a billing at Preston Guild Hall around 1978, Ray Steel up against Marty Jones for his British Light Heavyweight title. Had there been a weigh-in, Steel would have been at least two stones overweight for the division. It was a cracking bout, Jones being the inevitable winner.

I agree with Bill Smith. Not a lot of charisma there. In fact the whole rather dire wrestling scene of the late 1970’s resulted in my losing interest, until the coming of Wrestling Heritage; when one could look back and reflect on a much better earlier era.

Even Garstang had Assembly Rooms.

I saw the Zebra Kid just once; at Preston’s Queens Hall, against Jim Hussey, who attempting to body slam the 23 stone American, lost his balance and was squashed flat in a KO.

A friend once told me he was at the wrestling at Morecambe and from his ringside seat heard this wrestler trapped in a submission hold saying “Yes, Yes, Yes!” then - under his breath - “I mean it, I mean it!”