Our A-Z of wrestling officials incorporates both those who carried out the role of referee or Master of Ceremonies full time, including wrestlers who performed those roles distinctively either prior to, or following their wrestling days. To include all those wrestlers who officiated occasionally would make the listing meaningless. Like the rest of Wrestling Heritage this section remains a work in progress and contributions of additions, information or memories are welcome.
A
John Aldron
Referee and M.C. John Aldron worked at in the north and midlands, including a couple of the biggest venues, Liverpool Stadium and Belle Vue. Graham Brook said, “I recall Dixon using him and he was often the referee in the centre of the Albert Wall/Kendo Nagasaki finish which Dixon used a lot. Wall would launch himself from the top rope with his flying headbutt manoeuvre only for Nagasaki to pick Aldron up and use him as a protective shield as Wall came flying down. I saw it twice and each time Aldron played his part perfectly.”
Paul Allan
Paul Allan was an M.C. and referee for twenty years, from the 1970s and into the 1990s. Through the 1980s he was resident M.C. and referee at the Villa Marina and Summerland in Douglas, Isle of Man. On the mainland he worked for the British Wrestling Alliance and All Star Promotions at various venues around southern England, including the Fairfield Halls in Croydon.
Val Almond
Possibly the first female Master of Ceremonies in the country, fourteen year old Val Almond made her debut in Isle of Man rings in 1957. Val was the promoter of Manx promoter Arthur Almond.
B
Duke Badger
When we think of those who promoted the dignity and professionalism of wrestling the name Duke Badger probably isn’t a name that comes readily to mind. Not that Duke doesn’t deserve recognition it is just that as a worker for the independent promoters he is lesser known than most in our countdown. We remember Duke immaculately dressed as a Master of Ceremonies with a commanding voice that simply demanded respect from the fans. As a referee he was well respected. Dale Storm told us: “He always gave you a lot of space in which to work. As a consequence the bout was much faster and it had a much smoother edge to it. . He only appeared in your face, so to speak, down on the canvas when he was required to count a fall.” Duke is also remembered as a promoter in the north and midlands, Bullring Promotions, giving a young Banger Walsh his break in professional wrestling. Duke’s passing away a few years ago received many tributes on the internet.
Peter Baines
Peter George Baines was a referee and Master of Ceremonies for many years. Born in Essex he spent most of his life in Scotland and began working for Scottish promoter Alex Bannerman before going on to work for Joint Promotions throughout Scotland and Northern England. In the 1970s Peter began working for the independent promoters, mainly Brian Dixon and Orig Williams. Until the time of his death Peter was a regular attendee at the Reunions in Ayr, Leeds and Kent, travelling around the country in his campervan. He was an exytremely popular man with all members of the wrestling community. Peter was Honorary President of the Wrestlers Reunion Scotland. Born 20th November 1927, died 28th November, 2018.
Billy Barber
In his white tee-shirt and trousers, Billy Barber looked the part. He started out as a referee for Matsport Promotions (Kidd, Capelli, D’Orazio) in 1958 and moved to Dale Martin’s around 1962. His time at Dale Martin’s was in reality rather brief, but our impression was of a real pro. He died in 2011.
Peter Bates
One of the most well known post war Master of Ceremonies was Peter Bates, who made frequent appearances on ITV wrestling when Dale Martin were the promoters. Peter made it up the ladder from second, through timekeeper to Master of Ceremonies. Allan Thurbon remembers Peter’s “very stylish appearance.”
Francis P. Blake
Frankie Blake was ring announcer through the 1930s at the famed “Ring” in Blackfriars, and also officiated once at Madison Square Garden, New York. He joined Dale Martin Promotions as Master of Ceremonies in 1948 and remained the Number One official until 1972 when he went into semi-retirement. Wrestling enthusiast Duncan said, ” Without doubt the finest MC ever to trod the boards was Francis P. Blake who’s style was only repeated in later years by Mike Judd.” For twenty years he was Master of Ceremonies at the Royal Albert Hall.
Tiny Carr
In the 1960s two referees were as well known to wrestling fans as any of the wrestlers, Lou Marco and Tiny Carr. Tiny lived up to his name and could disappear behind a burly heavyweight. Albert Ernest “Tiny” Carr from London’s East End was the man for the big occasion. In 1948 when Bert Assirati defeated The Angel Maurice Tillet, reportedly in front of 12,000 fans, at the Tottenham Hotspur Football Ground, Tiny Carr was the man in the middle. He was there again on FA Cup Final Day in 1963 to referee the televised needle match between Jackie Pallo and Mick McManus. And when tag team wrestling made it’s televised debut it was Tiny Carr trying to keep order. Tiny Carr retired in 1969, thirty five years after our earliest record of him refereeing in 1934.
Charlie Case
Paul Charmer
Remembered by Rasit Huseyin and Allan Stanistreet, who both watched Paul as the regular M.C. at Salisbury’s City Hall. Allan tells us that Paul was always immaculately dressed, thoroughly professional, friendly and approachable. Just the sort that made wrestling great. Paul himself told us he was privileged to meet John Harris in October 1978 and it was John who provided guidance and encouragement for him to become Timekeeper, and later Master of Ceremonies at the City Hall, “I felt honoured to have John Harris as my mentor: a finer tutor one could never wish for. I was greatly indebted to Ken Joyce, who took a great leap of faith in me; no doubt reflecting his deep trust in the professionalism and opinions of John Harris. Ken was a man of huge loyalty, a trait that has been a cornerstone of my life, and I am forever grateful for Ken’s support and faith in me, and for engaging me as one of his main MCs, along with John Curry.”
Jack Cunningham
John Curry
John Curry was the man who lived the dreams of many of us. Heritage member Keith Hancox also remembered his friend….. “John was part of the original circuit of, I guess we were called pen friends, in those days who exchanged results, posters, programmes and handbills from their local venues with other wrestling fans around the country. Meet ups also happened, particularly for those fans who were able to travel to shows in other towns and cities. John went from being a fan attending shows mostly in the south of England from the early 1960’s to taking up the role of a second with Dale Martin Promotions. His big break into the ‘business’ was with the help of Joe D’Orazio. John was later promoted to MC with Dale Martin and was so pleased when he achieved his ambition of being Master of Ceremonies at the Royal Albert Hall and appearing in that capacity on our small screens with Wrestling on ITV’s World of Sport, both on a number of occasions. Outside of wrestling John was one of the most genuine people you could meet, a really kind and generous person. John Curry died on 31st August 2022.
D
John Dale
The bearer of a big surname in wrestling circles, John Abbey, born in 1911, was the eldest of the Abbey brothers. He was working for a coal merchant in 1936 when his father was killed in a car crash. John and brother Leonard continued the promoting business following their father’s death, John initially taking a lead role as Leonard was a successful wrestler known as Jack Dale. His style was very clipped, very pre-war, but he had a certain imposing aura about him that made us value his work. Wrestling enthusiast Tony summed up one of Johnny Dale’s trait’s by nicknaming him “cock-a-leg” for the way he whirled around on one heel to present the wrestler in the opposite corner.
Fred Davis
Fred Davis was a catch as catch can wrestler in the early 1900s, and a member of the Hammersmith Amateur Wrestling Club, having been born in Liverpool on 22nd November, 1986. He represented Britain in the 1908 Olympics. He was placed joint 5th in the 1908 freestyle bantamweight competition. He defeated Frederick Knight in the first round and lost to the eventual bronze medal winner, Aubert Cote in the second round. He spent the 1910s living in France but was back in London by the mid 1920s. He was a professional referee in the 1930s. He died on 21st May, 1960.
Mike Delaney
Douglas DeRelwyskow
Following the death of his father in 1942 George and brother Douglas took over management of Relwyskow Promotions. Whilst George became immersed in the family business Douglas followed a sporting interest in motor cycling and later rally car racing. He was also a full time referee for Relwyskow & Green Promotions and the referee in the 1964 episode of Coronation Street which featured a match between Ian Campbell and Street character Ogden the Terrible. He died on 11th January, 1982.
Fred Downes
Always smart, always professional, another of those who gave fans confidence in watching a sporting occasion Master of Ceremonies for Dale Martin Promotions.
E
Fred Edwards
The MC with a James Bond look. A rarity in that he was a master of ceremonies not only in wrestling but also stock car racing and boxing, we remember Reading’s Fred Edwards’ precise style and dapper ring presence. An all-round sportsman himself, it was when wrestlers Eddie Capelli and Tony Mancelli were involved as racers at a stock car rally that they met Fred and encouraged him to get involved as a wrestling official. Fred looked and sounded right, appeared on televised wrestling, and did the job well.
F
G
Brian George
Referee Brian George was promoter Brian Dixon, George being his middle name. Brian Dixon changed the face of British wrestling. Starting his own company, Wrestling Enterprises in 1970 it grew to become the largest and most enduring of wrestling promotions. Brian was the David who took on Goliath and succeeded where Paul Lincoln, Don Robinson and Jackie Pallo had failed, breaking the Joint Promotions monopoly of televised wrestling. A contract with ITV allowed tv viewers to watch Brian’s All Star Promotions alongside Joint Promotions, and fans were largely positive to the more exciting shows he presented. In the 1990s when wrestling attendances steeply declined and most promotional businesses folded it was Brian Dixon that endured, evolved and grew to maintain his position as Britain’s top promoter. Over more than fifty years he demonstrated the ability to adapt the wrestling product to satisfy the paying public. It would be hard to over-estimate Brian Dixon’s influence on British wrestling. Brian George Dixon died on 27th May, 2023.
Benny Green
Highly rated Master of Ceremonies from Leeds who for many years presented shows at Belle Vue in Manchester and Relwyskow and Green Promotions around the North,known for his dry, acerbic wit.
Freddie Green
Freddie Green was originally a boxer and had hoped that his son would follow him into the noble art. But his son took on the wrestling ring name of Steve Grey and it was dad who followed, assuming a role as a popular referee for Joint Promotions through the seventies.
Mark Green
The man who followed Benny Green as Master of Ceremonies at Belle Vue in Manchester and Relwyskow and Green Promotions. “Best M.C. by a mile,” according to wrestling enthusiast Wryton. Wrestler Eddie Rose added that he always gave a suave & polished performance.
Graham Guthrie
Graham ‘Gus’ Guthrie was resident Master of Ceremonies at Wimbledon Palais. He was known for a less formal yet professional style of announcing. Enthusiast Palais Fan said, “Gus seemed to be able to hit the right notes when challenging one of the heel wrestlers about their methods and when dealing with ‘major’ happenings, like The Ghoul initially refusing to revive his opponent after he had being stricken by the big man’s infamous knockout chop, or The Zebra Kid resisting calls to take his mask off following a defeat. He also sold next week’s bill very well by sounding genuinely interested in seeing the outcome of the matches.” An actor who gave up the job, a wrestler of eleven bouts and a man who retired from refereeing because he said it was too much like hard work.
H
Patsy Hagate
A well known Master of Ceremonies in both boxing and wrestling circles in the 1930 and promoter of professional wrestling. A boxing M.C. in the 1920s, working for Great Western Railways during the day, he added wrestling to his repertoire at the start of the 1930s. He was wrestling M.C. at the Blackfriars Ring and when boxing M.C. George Harris retired in 1932 Patsy took over that role too. Making his announcements at Harringay, the Royal Albert Hall and White City also he was the most famous M.C. in Britain. Patsy retired from ring announcing in 1955 and went into pub management at the George and Dragon in Brentford.
Born John Patrick Hagate in London’s deprived enclave of Nottingdale on 6th February, 1895, he died on 16th May, 1963.
Roy Harding
1980’s referee and Master of Ceremonies Roy Harding seemed to spring from nowhere but became a familiar figure to ITV wrestling viewers. He worked for Dale Martin Promotions, his wife working in the office. Allan Thurbon told us, “He was often seen on TV, came from Croydon, distinguished by his grey hair and beard.”
Bill Hargreaves
John Harris
Captain John Harris was involved in the training of wrestlers in the 1950s and developed to be a leading referee first for Paul Lincoln Promotions and Dale Martins. He was founder of the SYMBIC wrestling club in Dulwich, which produced Bobby Barnes, the Cortez brothers, Dick Conlon and other well known names, He quickly developed into a skilled Master of Ceremonies and by the late seventies and early eighties he had assumed the mantle of the main man in the south. John Harris successfully addressed and redressed a number of the accusations of disinterest we have levelled at his aged peers: he gave absorbingly lengthy introductions and made us feel that every bout mattered.
Les Harrison
Les Harrison was a Master of Ceremonies and Director of Wryton Promotions. He also had business interests with Arthur Wright, co-owning a warehouse in Thomas Street, Manchester. He was a member of Altrincham Charities Association, and organised regular charity shows for Altrincham Charities Entertainment Society (ACES).
Spider Harvey
Spider Harvey was one of the most well known of referees in the 1930s, officiating around southern England including the Blackfriars Ring. Even by 1930s standards he seemsto have got involuntarily invloved in the action and there are reports of a broken nose and various sprained bones. He was widely advertised as the brother of Len Harvey. The precise relationship, if any, we can’t determine because Spider Harvey was born Harvey Leslie W.Pickance in Southwark in 1903, whilst boxer Leonard Austen Harvey was born in Cornwall in 1907. There was a Harvey Leslie William Pickance changed his name to Stuart Harvey in 1946. Coincidence?
I
Ronald Isdale
Ronald Isdale, affectionately know as “Moon” to everyone, was the middle of the Isdale brothers. Although he didn’t wrestle Ronald did a lot of support work for Spartan brothers, ring builder, driver and referee. He was killed by a falling wardrobe down a set of concrete stairs in a tenement building he was moving into whilst in his mid thirties.
J
Peter Jay
No not the Ambassador to Washington and later tv presenter, this Peter Jay was an occasional wrestler who was better known for officiating in the latter days of tv wrestling, remembered as a referee in Salisbury by Allan Stanistreet.
Mike Judd
Mike Judd was a lanky Master of Ceremonies who cut his teeth working within Paul Lincoln Promotions. After the merger in 1966 he became a regular MC on the Dale Martin circuit, seemingly making the Fairfield Hall in Croydon his own, and eventually rising to wrestling’s top job, resident Master of Ceremonies at Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall. There is no doubt he was a great announcer and could beef up a storyline and controversy at the end of bouts very well, and used his full range of vocal options to create heat. To unwitting fans at the time his only crime was perhaps being a bit young to be the top MC. Years later we would discover that he was an accountant, even a Director within Dale Martin Promotions. His manner irritated many within the business and stories of him taking high-handed directional approach with his elders, such as Jackie Pallo and Les Kellett, are legion.
K
Sammy King
Portly and chatty southern MC who endeared himself to fans in some part thanks to his way of bouncing and bundling out of the ring off the apron. In the 1930s he was a professional toastmaster and boxing compere, before dabbling in wrestling promotion in north London and then, post war, becoming a senior Dale Martin emcee and making frequent television appearances, including officiating on the first of the great McManus v Pallo grudge matches in 1962.
L
Ken Lazenby
A television regular, Ken Lazenby was a mainstay of Relwyskow & Green Promotions. Portly Ken kept a firm grip on proceedings, and was ever eyeing the audience for their reaction. Ken Lazenby refereed the sensational 1971 televised bout in which Kendo Nagasaki was unmasked for the first time, by Billy Howes. We could do with more detail on this authoritative figure and invite contributions.
George Lawson-Peeke
A charismatic and gregarious master of ceremonies whose career spanned from the immediate post-war years and well into the nineteen seventies. George had been involved in the entertainment business during the war years, but he had also been a wrestling master of ceremonies before the war and was the first MC to appear on a televised wrestling presentation in 1938. Another notable role was presenting the sensational heavyweight clash live before 12,000 fans at the White Hart Lane football stadium, between Bert Assirati and the French Angel, Maurice Tillet. Assirati rated alongside Spencer Churchill as one of George’s favourite wrestlers. His sociable style, always ready to exchange anecdotes over a drink after a show.
Ernest Lofthouse
In the days when wrestling marketed itself on par with professional boxing the presentation of the officials was of huge importance. In this respect the credentials of Ernie Lofthouse were immaculate. Dinner jacketed Ernie, with his authorative voice precisely describing the action leading to the scoring of a fall or submission, commanded respect from fans and wrestlers alike. To the fans Ernie was a calm voice of reason and authority, but behind the scenes, as Norman Morrell’s right hand man, he controlled the dressing room with a rod of iron. John White observed Ernest as a referee, “He always kept control of a bout and was very smart in appearance, a great credit to Norman Morrell Promotions.”
M
Wright Mallinson
Wright Mallinson was a long serving time-keeper at Belle Vue in Manchester. He was born in Gorton, Manchester on 16th October. In 1939 his occupation was listed as a General Labourer. He died on 4th March, 1970, four days after officiating at Belle Vue.
Mal Mason
Mal Mason was one of the most well known wrestling referees, working for all the top promotions from the traditional days of Dale Martin, to Jackie Pallo, All Star and into the 21st century. He was one of the founders of the British Wrestlers Reunion, with the first Reunion held in his garden. Allan Stanistreet recalled Mal refereeing at his local City Hall in Salisbury, a referee with his own intro music!
N
Derek North
General ring man and referee for Jack Taylor’s International Promotions.
He was the husband of Naughty Nola Goldsmith. Derek died on 23rd December, 2013.
P
Ray Plunkett
Ray was the ultimate fan with a dedication to wrestling that lasted until his premature death in 2020. Ray is mostly remembered for his remarkable collection of wrestling bills and results, frequently referred to on wrestling websites. Ray was also well known as a referee and Master of Ceremonies for various independent promoters and Dale Martin Promotions.
Jack Proctor
Jack Proctor originated in Cornwall, wrestled in the 1950s most likely at light heavyweight, later moved to the North East where he refereed for Norman Morrell.
Gordon Pryor
Tangible records are hard to come by in the world of professional wrestling. One man with a place in the record books is Chesterfield referee and MC Gordon Pryor. Gordon was the last ever MC on ITV’s televised wrestling, introducing the contests on that fateful December day in 1988. For almost twenty years Gordon had been a popular referee and MC in the rings of the north and Scotland. He was another of those officials who epitomised all that was good about wrestling and boosted the credibility of the sport through his high professional standards. Gordon’s involvement in wrestling began following a letter he wrote to promoter Ted Beresford asking for a job at his shows in the Goldwelll Rooms, Chesterfield. Ted offered him work as a steward, and later as a second and then timekeeper at various venues around the north and midlands. When Max Crabtree took over northern halls in the early 1970s he employed Gordon as an MC, and later referee. Asked what he considered were the most important qualities of a referee Gordon told us the referee had to do his job without becoming a “feature” of the contest, an enabler who would allow the match to develop in the way the wrestlers wanted.
R
Dick Rogers
Dick Rogers, known as Dick the Dormouse, started out running a boxing and wrestling booth around his hometown of Plymouth in the 1930s. Dick and his wife, Jessie, promoted at Belle Vue in Manchester from the end of 1939 until the end of 1956, during which time Dick was the resident referee.
S
Al Saxton
One of the referees of the Heritage years who went on and on. Al Saxon was a referee for Joint Promotions who appeared on ITV wrestling right up to the end of tv wrestling in 1988. That was by no means the end for Al, who in 2022 received a Special Recognition Reward from LDN Wrestling as Britain’s oldest active referee at 89 years old.
Dave Simpson
No mention of wrestling officials should miss out David Simpson. Timekeeper, second, referee, Master of Ceremonies and a man who would do anything to make the business work, which included fathering the Fabulous Harlequins tag team. Dave was a miner from Ayr forced into early retirement. He was a mainstay of Spartan Promotions, even using his mining contacts to secure some of the gym’s weight training equipment. At heart Dave remained one of wrestling’s great fans, sometimes getting just too engrossed to remember what he was being paid for that night. “Just ring the bloody bell Dave.”
Gordon Smith
Confidence to control without a desire to dominate a match was an essential quality for any good referee. One man with that quality in abundance was Gordon Smith. A referee for Morell and Beresford Promotions the tall, slim figure of Gordon Smith moved niftily around the ring at a speed uncommon amongst many of his colleagues. When we asked wrestlers themselves who they considered the best of the third men Derek Collins was quick to speak up for Gordon Smith. Derek explained that he nominated Gordon because of his ring presence that allowed him to exert authority without detracting from the work of the wrestlers. That’s the quality of a top class referee – a star who allows the two other stars to shine. Dave Sutherland watched Gordon referee at his hall in Newcastle, “Everyone was agreed how smart Gordon Smith looked in the ring and he always had time for a word with the crowd outside the hall prior to the evening’s matches, usually to discuss the day’s football scores.”
Neil Sowden
A touch of northern sophistication in the shape of Neil Sowden, the bearded smartly-dressed and well-spoken Master of Ceremonies in Morrell Beresford land. Came second only to Ernie Lofthouse in his ability to accurately describe the events leading up to a fall in the finest detail. Prior to officiating in the ring, Neil Sowden had a short-lived wrestling career, ending abruptly due to injury.
Bobby Stafford
A man who loved wrestling and was a popular referee for many years, most notably for Dale Martin and All Star Promotions. Bobby was for many years a Committee member and long time supporter of the British Wrestlers Reunion. Bobby Stafford died on 28th July, 2021.
V
Bob Verlander
A suave Master of Ceremonies with an immaculate delivery was a regular official for promoter Ted Beresford.
W
Harry Vickers Wright
Harry Vickers Wright was born in 1905, three years before his brother Arthur. On leaving school Harry started work in his father’s butchers shop. The younger brother went on to form Wryton Promotions. Harry was a well known Master of Ceremonies and Director of Wryton Promotions. Harry Vickers Wright died on 5th June, 1975, six months before his brother Arthur. They share a grave in the Cheshire village of Lostock Gralam.
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Wrestling Heritage 