Also known as Benny King and Ben Boothman
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Mostly known as King Ben, Philip Boothman was the protective father of Kid McCoy. He was a very strong and capable wrestler, not just in the professional ring but as a champion arm wrestler who appeared in the 1973 Yorkshire television series Indoor League, losing in the final to a sixteen stone London electrician going by the name Donald “Buster” Witney.
King Ben turned professional in the early 1970s. He worked mainly in northern England and Scotland for Best Wryton, Morrell Beresford and Relwyskow & Green Promotions. Opponents included other northern regulars Alan Dennison, Jeff Kaye, John naylor and the likes. He made his television debut in December, 1975, the first of thirty-eight televised appearances on ITV and one on S4C that made him a firm favourite amongst a nationwide audience.
King Ben and Kid McCoy from Silsden in Yorkshire were
popular inclusions, in both singles and as a tag team, on wrestling programmes in the 1980s and beyond.
One out of the ordinary televised contest, indeed unique, was when both Ben and his son took part in the 1988 ITV Golden Grappler Tournament and both reached the final. The two faced each other and the maych finished when referee Max Ward counted out the winning fall to dad.
In the early 1990s King Ben cut back on appearances and although we don’t know the date of his last match our last documented appearance was in 1993
When he retired he became a chimney sweep, offering his services to weddings where the presence of a sweep was said to bring good luck!
Page added 02/02/2024
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