A&T Promotions, Kellett & Taylor
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Long before taking over almost the whole Joint Promotion network Max Crabtree was a successful and creative independent promoter. Taking advantage of the abolition of the Entertainments Tax in 1957 the following year he started up Twentieth Century Promotions, with his brothers Brian and Shirley, and Norman Berry. Norman Berry had previously worked in the publicity department of Norman Morrell. One of Twentieth Century’s star attractions, of course, was brother Shirley Crabtree, who the British Wrestling Federation recognised as British heavyweight Champion. Twentieth Century Promotions made good use of disaffected Joint Promotion stars like George Kidd and Docker Don Stedman.
At some point Norman Berry and the Crabtrees went their separate ways and Twentieth Century continued under the stewardship of Max and Shirley. Twentieth Century Promotions as an independent promoter ceased in 1962. 1962 Max Crabtree, alongside other independent promoters that included George Kidd, Joe D’Orazio and Eddie Capelli, began co-operating with Joint Promotions. Max continued to promote a smaller number of his own shows in conjunction with Joint Promotions and often worked as a representative for George DeRelwyskow. The relationship between Max and Joint Promotions in the 1960s was always rocky and at times Max reverted to promoting independently.
Whatever the criticism of Max Crabtree, and many are quick to criticise, there were few with a greater knowledge or understanding of British wrestling. When a manager was sought to take over operational control of Joint Promotions in the 1970s there was no one better qualified than Max Crabtree.
Read our tribute to Max Crabtree
See also British Wrestling Federation
See also Joint Promotions
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