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All fans of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s knew the name Ted Beresford. His wrestling promotions, often in conjunction with Norman Morrell, were broadcast regularly on the weekly televised wrestling programmes. Ted Beresford was an integral part of British wrestling management from the early 1940s and was a Director of the Joint Promotions organisation from March, 1952 until October, 1972.
Ted saw the potential in professional wrestling whilst serving in the army as a Sergeant during world war 2. Having already started to establish himself as a participant Ted quickly had an eye on the management side and his newly formed Globe Promotions was up and running before the end of hostilities. We have found him promoting in Nottingham in January, 1945, stating this was not All-In wrestling but a cleaned-up Free-style wrestling. This would not have been Ted’s first promoting venture as wrestler Paul Mitchell told us that Ted had benefited from the wartime Government’s Holidays at Home scheme, “Ted told me there were incentives and his early shows established him and got him well on his way to the Bentley. His research into possible venues and towns was as thorough as his matchmaking.” Ted’s Bentley was well known with Rodney Challis telling Heritage, “We all well remember them picking up or dropping off their young lad at school, it was the classiest vehicle on the car park!”
Ted Beresford’s birth name was Walter Leonard Beresford and he was born on 23rd October, 1910. Always a sports fanatic he was keen on swimming, boxing and hockey. He was encouraged to take up wrestling by the Scottish wrestler George Clarke.
During the war Ted, based in Aldershot, organised wrestling tournaments for the army. He pursued his active wrestling career following the war, often working on his own promotions.
We are too young to confirm the suitability of his “Iron Ed” nickname but reports are of a rough wrestler who was not averse to taking liberties with the rules.
Weighing just under 14 stones Ted wrestled the big names of the day such as Norman Walsh, Vic Hessle and Mike Marino. He retired from wrestling in 1952 after suffering back injuries but his influence on the wrestling scene continued to grow for another quarter of a century.
He put the skills learned organising tournaments during the war to good used by turning to promoting, often in partnership with Bradford’s Norman Morrell. Ted and his wife, Marjorie, also parented the talented middleweight of the 1960s, Steve Clements.
Walter Leonard Beresford died on 14th December, 1990.
Page added 23/10/2022
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