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Harry Pennington was one of Britain’s best catch as catch can wrestlers of the 1920s; British Bantamweight Champion in 1926, controlled by the British Amateur Wrestling Association.
Harry was born on 20th August, 1902 in Leigh, Lancashire. Like most of the other lads of his age he worked in the mines, at Parsonage Colliery, Leigh, and was interested in wrestling. In 1923 Harry joined the Leigh Harriers Athletic Club, one of the top Catch as Catch Can wrestling clubs in the country.
In May 1925 Harry won the Lancashire Bantamweight Championship. The following year, in October 1926, he entered the British championships at Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
The competition, held in the Town Hall, was the first time the event had taken place outside of London. Harry was victorious and won the championship, defeating Harry “Sonny” Darby (Bolton Harriers) in the final. This was quite an achievement as Darby was an experienced wrestler who had represented Great Britain in the 1924 Olympic Games.
Harry’s route to the final was not without controversy. In the semi final of the competition Harry had faced Tom McCarthy. McCarthy thought he had gained the winning pin and immediately stood upright expecting to be awarded the victory. However, referee Percy Longhurst, who McCarthy thought had signalled the win, had actually signalled for the bout to continue and Harry took the initiative and the win.
In February 1927 Harry was selected to represent England in an international match against France in Paris. He was reported to be the only England team member to win his match.
Harry Pennington was the cousin of Joe Reid, who wrestled in the 1932 Olympic Games and went on to a long professional career. Harry trained Joe catch wrestling in the fields off Nel Pan Lane, Leigh. Joe, three years younger than his cousin, also went on to join Leigh Harriers.
Harry went to Australia for a while, working his passage by boat. He returned to work as a locomotive driver down the pit.
Harry Pennington died in Battersby Street Nursing home on 11th April, 1995, aged 92.
His name lives on at Leigh Harriers with the Harry Pennington Cup, donated to the club by Harry’s grandson, Karl. We thank family members Karl and Dave for providing the photographs for this article.
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