Red Brocco, in the words of Al Marshall:
I first met "Red" (Darren) in Scarborough in 1992. He walked in through the dressing room door, and just about knocked me over! We got
talking, and he quickly said "Sorry, I didn't know you'd been in the business". I said "That's OK, but don't do it again!" and all was well
- he was forgiven. I had also been a bit full of myself in my wrestling days. From that day on, we've been the best of friends.
Only a year ago, the boot was on the other foot, and I was saying "sorry" to him when he came up to me and said "Hello Al, how are you doing?".
I replied somewhat curtly "Who are you?".
"It's me, Darren, "Red Brocco".
I looked at him and said "Hell fire, where has all your long red hair
gone?" (Sorry Daz!).
And, yes, we are still big pals.
This is his story:
After several years as a very good top amateur wrestler, Darren decided he would like to turn professional, so he asked Max Crabtree
if he would train him. Max liked the look of him and, taking his impressive amateur background into consideration, he quickly said "Yes". "By
the way, tell me a bit about yourself", said Max, and Daz related the story of his Russian ancestors called "Broccovich". Immediately, Max
replied "That's good, kid. Your wrestling name will be "Red" after your hair, and "Brocco" after your Russian ancestors.
After a lot of training, Red's first pro bout was in Easter 1990: Red Brocco vs Rex Lane. Red had many bouts over the years, facing a
lot of the top wrestlers of the time, including Ross Hart, from the famous American wrestling family, to name just one. Whatever the style of
his opponent, Red always gave as good as he got, and invariably came out on top. I once saw him in a challenge bout with a big, rough-looking
guy from the audience. This guy climbed into the ring, full of it, like they do. Red put every hold in the book on him, and within minutes the
guy had submitted. It was a case of "In like a lion, out like a lamb" for him. Nice one, Red.
Red does not sit about these days. When he isn't driving his big skip lorry about, he and his lovely wife Tracy go to shows in their
big-wheeled hotrod. Good luck Red, you are a good pal.
Al Marshall,
November 2010
Many thanks to Al Marshall for sending all this information and the photos.
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