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Popular good looking heavyweight Emil Poilve was surprisingly born in Cheshire. Publicity claimed he chose his unusual professional name from his French mother’s maiden name. This may or may not have been the case, but our Emil should not be confused with the French Olympic wrestler Emile Poilve, who died in 1962.
Following his wartime service as a parachute instructor in the R.A.F. Emil entered the professional wrestling ranks when he met the Mighty Elmo, Jim Foy, at Willenhall. From 1948 onwards he wrestled regularly throughout the midlands and north of England, most frequently for Wryton Promotions, until retirement in 1963.
Following a successful wrestling career which saw him travel across Europe Emil went on to become a popular referee. It’s in his capacity as a first class referee that most fans remeber him. Emil was a gentleman of the ring amongst an assortment of characters that he managed quietly yet firmly. The confidence with which he commanded every aspect of the bout re-assured fans they were watching a competitive contest between two skilled competitors.
Eddie Rose told us: “Emil Poilve came from the same little village as me (now gobbled up as part of Stockport but then fairly quiet and remote). He had a good career as a heavyweight until back problems forced his retirement. He was particularly close to Jack Atherton and looked after Jack and his wife when old age and illness took their toll. As a ref? You hardly knew he was in the ring with you yet he kept good control. He had a VW camper van to travel to shows and the lads used to tussle to get in first for a lie down on the journey home after a show: two or three hours up the M6 in the dark!”
Rex Strong told us, “A referee could make or break a match, and Emil had the inate skill of knowing precisely when to intervene.”
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