Also known as Barracuda, The Hunchback
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Memories may disappear into the mists of time but Danny Flynn is someone who should not be forgotten. We watched him in the 1960s in the twilight years of his career, but even then it was clear that here was a class act. We were unaware at the time that Danny had been one of the top welterweights of the late 1940s and 1950s when he was a regular opponent, and oft conqueror of many of the post war names that are still remembered: Mick McManus, Tommy Mann, Vic Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Cliff Belshaw, Alan Colbeck, Bill Howes and Les Kellett.
Danny Flynn took up wrestling in the late 1930s, making his debut at the Ardwick Stadium, Manchester (The Blood Tub as it was known) against Johnny Stafford. In those early days his wrestling career was combined with his contribution to the war effort. This meant that he was a regular at his local Manchester’s Belle Vue Stadium, which was one of the few in the country to continue with weekly shows during the 1939-45 hostilities.
With the outbreak of peace Flynn took up wrestling full time and was a regular worker throughout the north and midlands. He was a skilful wrestler, usually working within the rules but the Irish temperament showing itself on occasions to produce a fiery and all-action style. We understand from colleagues that he was a hard, skilful opponent who could outwrestle most of them, but was always a generous opponent in the ring.
Danny Flynn played as big a part as any in establishing wrestling as a post war spectator sport, and when Joint Promotions were formed in 1952 he continued to find regular work with the newly formed cartel against the big names of the day. The advent of television brought new audiences to wrestling and fame to many. Alas, Danny Flynn was not amongst those chosen for exposure, and we can find only one 1956 televised bout against Frank O’Donnell.
Like so many others Flynn became disillusioned with the way that Joint Promotions organised the business and chose to work for the independents from 1959 onwards. Shortly afterwards he began to promote shows through the North and Scotland in partnership with fellow Salfordian Fred Woolley. They formed Cape Promotions, one of the biggest independent promoters of the 1960s with regular workers including Mike Marino, Al Hayes, Wild Angus, and a young Johnny Saint, who also put their ring up!
Wrestler Dale Storm recalled Danny’s promotional skills. “He would have wrestlers in the back of a car. We would have the windows rolled down, peering out, while he leaned out of the driver’s side advertising the show through a big white and blue hand held Megaphone! He did all that and drove at the same time, one handed. I doubt you’d get away with doing things like that nowadays. Eh? And he never missed a beat.”
Dale Storm was one of the many wrestlers that Danny got started in the business. Dale turned up at one of Cape Promotions shows in Troon and gave him a trial in front of the paying public. It must have gone well.
Danny Flynn continued to wrestle and promote until the late 1960s, when he was tragically killed in a road accident.
Page added 11/05/2023
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