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We remember Butcher Goodman as a first rate wrestler with a pleasing style able to adopt a harder edge when facing the really popular youngsters like Johnny Saint, Ian St John and Earl McCready.
We though, are mere fans. Talk to the wrestlers who worked with him and they will tell you that this Barnsley middleweight was a “wrestler’s wrestler.” That’s not a title easily bestowed, but we have been assured that it is one that they believed was thoroughly deserved. Without Butcher, we were told by those who know, there would have been quite a few better known names who would not have made it to the top. Both inside and outside of the ring Butcher was a kind and generous man. He was one of those professionals who would give everything to make sure that his opponent, whatever his shortcomings looked really good. For Butcher it was all about entertaining the fans, and if that meant he had to take second place then so be it.
That philosophy came, no doubt, from Butcher’s mentor, Charlie Glover, who always taught his protégés at the Junction Gymnasium that they must put the fans first. One admirer of Butcher Goodman was another Glover trainee, Gordon Allen, who wrestled as Pedro the Gypsy, “We had some marvellous matches,” he told us.
Another admirer was Sam Betts, who wrestled as Dwight J Ingleburgh. “He had time for everyone.” Butcher was well known for the patience he had for newcomers to the business, taking the time to advise and encourage them.
Butcher Goodman was born on 11th November, 1931. His name was Arthur Betton, the son of Mary and Herbert, a coal miner.
Butcher trained at Charlie Glover’s gymnasium alongside Dwight J Ingleburgh, Pedro the Gypsy, Stoker Brooks and Bruno Elrington. He turned to professional wrestling in the 1950s, and it was a career destined to last thirty years. During that time he wrestled throughout the country, mainly on the independent circuit, yet still meeting wrestling greats such as Johnny Saint, Jack Taylor, Gorilla Reg Ray and Eric Sands. He often travelled around the country working with the other Barnsley lads Dwight J Ingleburgh, Pedro and Karl Von Kramer.
Notable tag partners included Gorilla Reg Ray and Karl Von Kramer, billed collectively as The Toffs. Butcher and Karl would enter the ring wearing top hats and tails.
Butcher continued wrestling well into the 1980s, with our last recorded bout for him in October, 1983. He may not be the most readily remembered of our past stars, but he is definitely a wrestler whose memory should be treasured.
Arthur Betton died in September, 1995.
Page added 21/05/2023
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