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Bully!
Another of the famous Pye clan, Frank Pye was the original Bully Pye, a nickname later assumed by brother Tommy in the post war years. Born in Wigan in 1916 Frank was one of the eleven children of Henry and Ellen Pye (nee Bennett). Frank moved to Stainforth near Doncaster whilst still a child, and it was here he learned the wrestling business alongside his brothers, the most notable of whom was Jack. All the Pye brothers would train at a local gym and at Jack’s home in Stainforth. Frank saw the success of big brother Jack, making money in the wrestling ring which was much more preferable than working down the pit. He was determined to join him and turned professional in 1933 when he was just seventeen years old. From the start of his career he travelled widely, often accompanied by brother Jack. Like his brother Frank was highly volatile in the ring with little regard to the sophistication of the sport’s rules and was soon credited with the name Bully. Our records indicate that it was his temperament, prolific appearances and reputation rather than technical ability that justify made him one of the top wrestlers of the 1930s.. Some years ago we heard from Frank’s son, James, who told us his father had married Rachel Greenall in Thorne in 1940, fathered James in 1941 and died in 1944.
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