Also known as Bull Carter
Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections.
Our memories of Bill Connor are of a wiry body that zipped round the ring, slowing down just enough to reveal a grin as he had outfoxed his opponent yet again. We always enjoyed seeing his name on a wrestling programme and watching him in action. Fellow wrestler Eddie Rose said, “Bill was a powerful, wonderfully competent wrestler, whose trade mark was a beaming smile and an out sized sense of humour.”
Fireworks in the ring? Well that would be appropriate because William Henry Connor was born on 5th November, 1939, Guy Fawkes night. Not that there would be many bonfires burning as Britain had been at war for two months. The young Bill was the son of William, a builder’s labourer. home was 9, New William Street in Droylsden, Salford.
Bill came into wrestling late in life, turning professional in his late twenties after an initial interest in boxing and long period as an amateur wrestler at the Manco Amateur Boxing and Wrestling Club in Stetford.
It was pro wrestler Ken Cadman that spotted the potential of Bill for the professional wrestling ring. He arranged for Bil to join the weekend group of wrestlers at Wryton Stadium.
A professional debut came in 1966, though we find only find verified reports from the following year. For Bill there was none of this paying your dues in the independent rings, he received bookings from Joint Promotion members Wryton from the outset, with early opponents Mike Dallas, Dave Barrie and Jeff Kaye.
By 1967 regular bookings, mostly from Wryton Promotions, were coming Bill’s way with opponents now including the very best such as British champion Jim Breaks and World champion George Kidd. Against Kidd an inevitable loss but a report that Bill acquited himself well.
August 1967 saw Bill make his television debut, a more than creditable draw against Jeff Kaye at Southport’s Floral Hall. He proved popular to viewers and made a further six opponents in the nect four years. Opponents were first class, and included Vic Faulkner (twice), Bert Royal, Alan Wood and Terry Downs.
Bill supplemented his wrestling activities by following his dad by following his dad into the business trade.
Like the majority of our silent wrestling heroes it’s difficult to point to any particular highlights for Bill Connor. He was one of those who gave their best, displaying skill and entertaining fans for twn years or more. His legacy is the great memories he has left us with.
Bill Connor disappeared from our rings in 1975, the final few appearances under the name Bull Carter.
Page added: 01/11/2026
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