Wrestling at St George’s Hall 1970s

In the 1970s, it was a fixed date, we would go and see the wrestling at St George’s Hall.

There were not a lot of choices for entertainment in those days. On Sundays you would go to the Picture House and on Mondays it was always the wrestling. I would meet all my friends. I was only 16 and would earn money with my paper round to pay for the ticket or if I couldn’t afford it, try to sneak in through the back door.

It was great to see Indian wrestlers like Dara Singh when he fought with Big Daddy at St George’s Hall. And names like Jim Breaks, Kendo Nagasaki, Gill Singh, Catweazle. They would always make a big entrance when they came into the ring in their uniform.

But it was more fun watching the audience, they would get really excited, very angry, especially if someone was cheating. It was amazing. You would see someone get out of their seat and shout ‘You fight me - I will give you a challenge!’

Afterwards the wrestlers would come into the pub over the road and you would meet them. When I get together with my old friends we still talk about those days.