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Yorkshire’s Derek Collins told Wrestling Heritage that like so many Wrestling Heritage readers his interest in wrestling began as a ten year old child when he joined the fans at Leeds Town Hall. For most of us enthusiasts that was as far as the dream went but Derek was a determined young man.
Wrestling wasn’t his first sporting love. As a schoolboy he was a successful runner, representing Yorkshire Youth. It was whilst running that he took up wrestling in order to keep his weight down!
Derek was an amateur wrestler for nine years at the Hilltop Wrestling Club in Bradford. Visits to the gym had to be fitted in between shifts at work down the coal mine. It wasn’t just a case of earning an honest crust but also building up the strength and stamina necessary for a career in the ring.
With a good amateur grounding Derek moved to Ernest Baldwin’s gymnasium st The Old White Bear in Tinglley, in preparation for his professional debut. That moment came in 1962, but Derek’s career was soon to be put on hold due to a serious knee injury. After more than a year out of wrestling Derek returned and established himself as a popular worker throughout northern England and Scotland, working for all the major promotions.
A powerful wrestler with considerable skill Derek never reached regular main event status Derek remained a popular figure in northern rings in the 1960s and 1970s.
Page added: 29/10/2026
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