Tarzan Boy Darren and Steve Fury organised the fifth British Professional Wrestlers' Reunion to be held in the Leeds area, once again at The Oulton Institute.

The event enabled wrestlers, their families and invited guests to meet over a few drinks and a buffet in a relaxed atmosphere.

Many old wrestling pictures and posters were on show around the hall, helping to refresh fading memories and guaranteed to get the conversation flowing.

With word of these reunions now spreading throughout the wrestling fraternity, the familiar faces are being joined by one or two more old comrades each year. Newcomers this time included Dale Storm, "Dirty" Dickie Swales and "Nipper" Eddie Riley. If you know of a family member or friend who is a former professional wrestler, be sure to tell them that their old colleagues would love to see them at the next reunion.

With guests arriving from 11am onwards, the hall quickly began to fill up, with old friends and adversaries meeting again, often for the first time in many years.

People travelled from all around the UK for this twice-yearly event, and when enough time had been allowed for late arrivals, the proceedings got underway. Gordon Pryor acted as MC, and did a great job in maintaining some sort of order amongst the high-spirited assembly. The wrestlers themselves had voted for colleagues to receive awards, there was a raffle to raise money towards the next event, and the wrestlers were called forward individually and introduced, giving those with cameras an opportunity to record this historic gathering.




THE AWARDS:
A very popular feature, and a focal point of the proceedings, the presentation of certificates to those nominated by their colleagues in recognition of their services to British Professional Wrestling.

 

1. Sam Betts "The Innovation Award", for his alter ego of Dwight J Ingleburgh, presented by Pete Herman.
2. Johnny Angel "Dream Worker Award", for an easy to work with wrestler, presented by Ray Robinson.
3. Blondie Barratt "A Mat Magician Award", for a wrestler who could make anyone look good, presented by Tony "Banger" Walsh.

4. The Little Prince "Golden Crowbar Award", presented by Gil Singh.
5. Promoter and wrestler Dave Shillitoe, best remembered as Bobby Barron "The Respect Award", presented by Klondyke Kate to Rita Shillitoe (Bobby's widow).
6. Peter Preston "The Heat Award", for the best villain, presented by Johnny Saint.

LOOK WHO'S HERE

 

1. Al Marshall.    2. Ron Hinchcliffe, Sam Betts, Jean Allen (Pedro the Gypsy's widow), Pete Herman, Blackburn Roberts.    
3. Ray Robinson, Sam Betts.    4. Dirty Dickie Swales, Jimmy Boy Devlin, Al Marshall.

1. Adam, Alan & Tracey Kilby.    2. Al Marshall, Blondie Barratt, Tiny Tom Thumb, Steve Barker.    
3. Keith Myatt, Derek Collins.    4. Drew McDonald, ***, Johnny Kincaid.

1. Clare Matthews, Klondyke Kate.    2. Jean Allen (Pedro the Gypsy's widow) , Millie Johnson, Sheila Betts.

1. Gil Singh, Jackie Robinson.    2. Tony Francis, Rex Strong.    3. Barry Douglas, Tarzan Boy Darren.

1. Ray Robinson, Barry Douglas, Tarzan Boy Darren.    
2. Little Prince, Tarzan Boy Darren, Steve Calvert, Gil Singh.    
3. Tarzan Boy Darren, Gil Singh, Tony Francis.    4. Tony Kaye, Ebony Kid (Al Diamond), Al Marshall.

1. Blondie Barratt, Al Marshall.    2. Klondyke Kate, Al Marshall.    
3. Gerraint Warr, Peter Nulty.    4. Big Ian Miller, Peter Preston, Dale Storm.

1. Tony Kaye, Johnny Saint.    2. Drew McDonald, Jackie Turpin.    
3. Pete Herman, Keith Martinelli.    4. Les Prest, Sam Betts.

 

TEAM PHOTO:
MC Gordon Pryor called the wrestlers forward one at a time to be introduced.
This selection of photographs shows how the group gradually assembled for the "team photograph" - too big to be captured in a single image without a panoramic camera.

 

The "Team Photograph":
Thanks to Alan ("Hack") from the Wrestling Heritage website for this list of those present:

Adam Kilby, Al Marshall, Alan Kilby, Apache Princess, Banger Walsh, Barry Douglas, Blackburn Roberts, Blondie Barratt, Dale Storm, Dave Adams, Dave Bedford, Derek Collins, Dick "the Bruiser" Harrison, Dickie Swales, Drew McDonald, Dwight J Ingleburgh, Ebony Kid, Eddie Riley, Gerraint Warr, Gil Singh, Gordon Pryor, Ian Miller, Jack Flash Davey, Jackie Robinson, Jackie Turpin, Jimmy Boy Devlin, Johnny Angel, Johnny Kincaid, Johnny Saint, Julie Starr, Justin Starr, Keith Myatt, Keith Martinelli, Kevin Smith, Klondyke Kate, Les Prest, Little Prince, Mark Atkin, Marty Jones, Pete Herman, Peter Baines, Peter Preston, Ray Robinson, Rex Lane, Rex Strong, Richie Brooks, Rita Shillitoe, Rocky Royale, Ron Hinchcliffe, Rory Campbell, Sarah Robbins, Sergeant Sizzler, Steve Barker, Steve Fury, Steve Lynskey, Tarzan Boy Darren, Tiger McGuigan, Tiny Tom Thumb, Tony Francis, Tony Kaye, Tracey Kilby, Viking Warrior.

Read Hack's reunion report on the Wrestling Heritage site at www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY JOHN & IAN WHITE:

 

John (blue tie) and Ian (check shirt) with:
1. Tony Kaye, Al Marshall, Gil Singh.    2. Tarzan Boy Darren.    3. Al Marshall.    4. Tracey Kilby.

Presentations:
1. Pete Herman to Sam Betts.    2. Ray Robinson to Johnny Angel.    
3. Banger Walsh to Blondie Barratt.    4. Johnny Saint to Peter Preston.

1 & 3. Gathering for the 'team photo'.    2. Sam Betts with certificate.

1. The awards get underway.    2. Tarzan Boy Darren.    
3. Al Marshall, Dave Bedford.    4. Rocky Royale, Blondie Barratt.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY AL MARSHALL:

 

Al Marshall with:
1. Johnny Kincaid.    2. Sam Betts.    3. Johnny Saint.    4. Drew McDonald.

Al Marshall with:
1. Klondyke Kate.    2.Ebony Kid (Al Diamond).    3. Gil Singh.    4. Blondie Barratt, Tom Thumb, Steve Barker.

 

PHOTOGRAPH CONTRIBUTED BY RORY CAMPBELL:

 

Rory Campbell and Peter Baines

 

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY TRACEY KILBY:

 

1. Adam & Alan Kilby, with cornerman Mike Waller.    2. Alan Kilby, Jackie Turpin.
3. Alan & Tracey Kilby, Steve Lynskey.

Tracey Kilby with:
1. Gerraint Warr.    2. Johnny Saint.    3. 'Nipper' Eddie Riley.    4. Drew McDonald.

Tracey Kilby with:
1. John & Ian White.    2. Rita Shillitoe.    3. Mark Atkin, Justin Starr.    4. Al Diamond.

Tracey Kilby with:
1. Tony Kaye, Al Marshall, Dave Bedford.    2. Dale Storm, Big Ian Miller.    3. Karen Pollard, Sgt Sizzler.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY WENDY MELLOR:

 

1. Wendy's partner Keith Martinelli.    2. Sam Betts, Wendy.    3. Klondyke Kate, Wendy.
4. Peter Preston, Keith Martinelli, Tony Francis.

1. Clare Matthews, Klondyke Kate.    2. Keith & Elizabeth Myatt.    3. Julie Taylor, Adam, Alan & Tracey Kilby.

1. Tony Francis, Rex Strong.    2. Drew McDonald, Banger Walsh.    3. Eddie Riley, Gerraint Warr.

1. Ray Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Derek Collins, Keith Martinelli.    2. Steve Fury, Barry Douglas, Tarzan Boy Darren.    3. Banger Walsh, Little Prince, Sam Betts.    4. Peter Nulty, Justin Starr, Keith Myatt.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY KEVIN SMITH:

 

1. Johnny Angel, Grizzly Dave Adams, Ebony Kid, Rocky Royale, Dick Harrison, Sgt Sizzler.
2. Kevin Smith, Sgt Sizzler, Tiger McGuigan.    3. Blondie Barratt, Sgt Sizzler.
4. Ebony Kid, Dick Harrison.

1. Sgt Sizzler, Al Marshall.    2. Sgt Sizzler, Gordon Pryor, Tarzan Boy Darren.
3. Tiger McGuigan, Kevin Smith, Rocky Royale, Steve Lynskey, Sgt Sizzler, Mark Robinson.

1. Keith Martinelli, Ray Robinson, Marty Jones, Jackie Robinson.    2. Marty Jones, Sgt Sizzler.
3. Rocky Royale, Alan Kilby, Sgt Sizzler, Adam Kilby.    4. Rocky Royale, Blondie Barratt.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY STEVE BARKER:

 

1. Rex Strong.    2. Justin Starr, Mark Atkin, Gerraint Warr.    3. Johnny Kincaid, Peter Baines, Tony Francis.
4. Sam Betts, Jimmy Boy Devlin.

1. Barry Douglas, Tarzan Boy Darren.    2. Little Prince, Gil Singh.    3. Peter Preston, Johnny Saint.

1. The photo call.    2. Peter Preston, Derek Collins, Tom Thumb, Johnny Saint, Banger Walsh, Jackie Turpin.
3. Johnny Kincaid, Tom Thumb, Keith Myatt, Blondie Barratt, Steve Fury.
4. Sam Betts, Pete Herman, Gordon Pryor.

1. Marty Jones, Richie Brooks, Drew McDonald.    2. Marty Jones.    3. Rex Lane.

1. Johnny Angel, Ray Robinson.    2. Johnny Angel, Tony Francis, Tarzan Boy Darren.
3. Derek Collins, Dick Harrison, Blondie Barratt.    4. Gordon Pryor.

1. Drew McDonald, Banger Walsh.    2. Al Marshall, Blondie Barratt, Tom Thumb, Steve Barker.
3. Drew McDonald, Johnny Kincaid, Gil Singh, Jackie Robinson.

1. Rita Shillitoe, *, Julie Taylor, Klondyke Kate.    2. Rita Shillitoe, Klondyke Kate.


Any more photographs sent in will be gratefully received, and added to this page, with an acknowledgement to the photographer.
If you can identify anyone not named in these photographs, please e-mail furnacehot@aol.com.