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From 1962 until the mid to late 1980s Jeff Kaye was a popular middleweight and one of the top contenders in the division. In those latter years he was more familiar as one of the country’s top referees, one of the few to make a successful transition from successful wrestler to equally successful third man. Wrestling enthusiast Romeo remembered, “When wrestling singles, tag or officiating Jeff always looked like he enjoyed what he was doing. A slick, skilled wrestler.”
The wrestler from Hull, trained by Bernard Murray, was well respected by colleagues and promoters who gave him regular bookings for three decades.
A ringside fan with his wife Janet at Hull’s Madeley Street Baths it was reported in the press that it was the good wife that encouraged him to take up professional wrestling. Until then Jeff’s main sporting interests had been boxing and gymnastics.
Around four years training at George de Relwyskow’s gym in Leeds led to a professional debut in 1962. An early 1960s debut meant Jeff was well placed for the 1960s wrestling boom and increased television scheduling, with ITV adding a mid week programme to the regular Saturday broadcast. His television debut, thanks to Relwyskow and Green Promotions, came in October, 1964. His opponent was the experienced Jim Lewis, and Jeff lost by the only fall. This was the first of more than forty televised contests. Mick McManus was brought on as the second tv opponent, and the two of them were destined to meet five times on television, making him one of Mick’s most frequent tv opponents. Jeff quickly established himself as a firm favourite amongst television fans, seen at his best against similarly speedy technicians but mostly delighting viewers by outwitting the likes of McManus and Pallo whilst on the way to inevitable defeat.
Much though we acknowledged Jeff’s ability in those early days we confess to finding him clever rather than spectacular. Jeff would climb through the ropes, do his job well, and leave the ring. Scots born, Middlesbrough based, Ian Gilmour was of similar ilk and a frequent opponent with the two had some cracking contests. Then it all changed. Jeff and Ian joined forces as The Barons tag team, taking to the ring to battle the likes of villainous teams The Masters, The Dennisons and The Black Diamonds as well as scintillating lightening fast scientific displays with the Royal brothers and the Jet Set.
Suddenly the monochrome became full colour. The Barons distinctive costume of gold boots, ponchos and purple trunks may now have a definite 1970s look, but these were the 1970s and it was more than enough to excite us in those days. In retrospect we were surprised to realise they were a tag team force for only three or four years, but during that short time we fans rated them amongst the best, up there with the Royals, Black Diamonds, Jet Set and Dennisons.
As mentioned at the outset Jeff began combining refereeing duties with his wrestling commitments in the 1980s. He always looked the part and was popular with fans because of his low-key, serious, professional role, a more than welcome contrast to some others.
He also passed on his wrestling knowledge to other wrestling hopefuls with Dave and Steve Taylor being among them.
Jeff Kaye died in April, 2018.
Page added 18/09/2022
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