Our feature Independent We Stand acknowledges the huge contribution made to British wrestling by the so-called independent promoters. Due to their very nature it would be an impossible task to list them all, and we may well have hardly scratched the surface.
We hope we’ve found a place for all the major players, but would welcome any additional contributions of independent promoters active before 1988.
Ace Sports Promotions
Well respected Pudsey based company in the 1960s and 1970s run by Ron Farrar. Founder member of the 1970s independent British Wrestling Associations, Ace Sports Promotions presented shows around Yorkshire, often with proceeds going to charity.
Ron Farrar and his wife, Sue Brittain, did much to popularise women’s wrestling. Sue Brittain made it into the pages of The Times in November, 1979, when she claimed sex discrimination after being refused work by Verdun Leslie Promotions because of the Greater London Council ban on women wrestling. Although she won her case and the bout did take place it was re-imposed by the GLC shortly afterwards.
All Star Promotions
In the late 1960s a young man named Brian Dixon, who had until recently run the A-Z Wrestling Fan Club, left 
his job as a second at Liverpool Stadium and promoted himself to owner of Wrestling Enterprises of Birkenhead.
He immediately attracted a number of main event performers, Count Bartelli and Syed Saif Shah amongst them. The concept seemed simple; put on a good show and then put on an even better one the following month.
Dixon built up an enviable reputation during the 1970s presenting quality tournaments on a shoestring budget. He organised the lot, wrote the programmes, published a magazine called Wrestlesport and refereed on his own shows. He was probably the first promoter to learn (and many of the day never did) that ticket sales alone were insufficient to make a good profit, and began to sell various accessories at his tournaments.
During the 1970s and 1980s All Star Promotions began to attract just about every big name in Britisg wrestling, a situation that could only 
have speeded up the demise of Joint Promotions. The reward for his determination was that he eventually attained what seemed to be the unattainable. He succeeded where Paul Lincoln and Jackie Pallo had failed; hard work, courage, ability and good fortune led to All Star finally breaking Joint Promotions stranglehold on television wrestling.
All Star Promotions also achieved another first when they overcame the ban on female wrestling in London and presented a tournament featuring Mitzi Mueller at the Royal Albert Hall. Unlike previous attempts to present women’s wrestling the contest went ahead unchallenged.
Following the demise of television almost all the established promoters left the business, but not Brian Dixon. Despite some very lean times he has continued to promote wrestling until the present day and is undoubtedly Britain’s top wrestling promoter. He’s a man who certainly deserves our respect for his services to wrestling. Maybe he’s not a millionaire, but he deserve to be.
Anglia Wrestling Promotions
Brian Trevors (pictured with his father) was a known as “The Keighley Strong Boy,” and was a 
successful wrestler for Joint Promotions who moved from Yorkshire to East Anglia in the late sixties. Shortly afterwards he started promoting under the name Anglia Wrestling Promotions.
Anglia soon established itself as a strong force on the East Anglian wrestling scene, winning contracts to provide regular tournaments for holiday camps in the area. Trevors also gained a reputation for developing young talent and Anglia shows became a breeding ground for young professionals.
He built up a talented stable of wrestlers that included John L. Hagger, Bad Bill Pye, Finlay Scott Strachan, Cowboy Jack Larson and Robin Hoode.
A & T Promotions
Two more first class wrestlers who moved into the promotional business in the twilight years of hugely successful professional wrestling careers. Yorkshiremen Johnny Allan and Eric Taylor (left) presented tournaments during the 1970s, featuring not just themselves but many other big names. The programme shown (right) is an example of the quality of their shows with not only Taylor and Allan, but a couple of other ex Joint Promotion wrestlers and some big names of the independent circuit. We are reliably informed by those who attended their shows that their matchmaking and promotional skills were much more creative than their name!
British Wrestling Federation
Welsh heavyweight Orig Williams was a main event performer on the independent circuit back in the 1960s. In the latter half of the decade he began promoting wrestling shows featuring big names such as Klondyke Bill, Count Bartelli and, of course, Orig Williams.
He later adopted the name British Wrestling Federation which had previously been used in the late 1950s. Orig Williams was featured in a BBC2 documentary, the Philpott File, and was later contracted to present wrestling tournaments for C4C.
Like his friend and colleague, Brian Dixon, Orig Williams has continued to promote wrestling since the golden days of wrestling and the British Wrestling Federation is still in operation from it’s base in Rhyl up to the present day.
C & A Promotions
A Short lived business which presented tournaments mainly in working men’s clubs and small 
halls of Lancashire around 1970. The business was owned by the top welterweight wrestler Alan Wood (right)and business partner Ben Crawford.
Wood trained two local boys, Pete McGowan from Eccleston and Peter Halliwell of Euxton, with hopes that they would develop into professionals who would top their bills of the future.
Alas, the future was not so bright for McGowan, Halliwell or C&A Promotions. Following the short lived venture Wood returned to Joint Promotion rings.
Cape Promotions
Danny Flynn and Fred Woolley were highly rated wrestlers on Joint Promotions circuits from the start of the cartel until 1959, when like many others they became disillusioned with their pay and conditions and chose to work outside the Joint Promotion organisation. Quite a few of those wrestlers that left Joint Promotions during this period also began to promote their own shows, presumably thinking that if the money stayed in the promoter’s pocket it might as well be their pocket. Some of those wrestlers found success as promoters whilst others did not.
Woolley and Flynn, having set up base in their hometown of Salford, found a great deal of success and operated in the North and Scotland throughout the sixties and into the early seventies. Theirs were quality, reliable shows, regularly using big names such as Dominic Pye, Dai Sullivan Mike Marino, The Wildman of Borneo, and newcomers like Johnny Saint and Al Marquette as well as visiting international stars that included Crusher Verdu and Ricky Starr.
Jack Cassidy
Manchester in the 1960s was a hotbed of professional wrestling. Fans could quite easily watch live wrestling every night of the week, often with a choice of shows. Venues ranged from the huge Belle Vue to the small working men’s clubs. Gun totting heavyweight Cowboy Jack Cassidy was amongst those who promoted in Manchester during the sixties and seventies. His most prestigious venue was the Houldsworth Hall, slap bang in the city centre on Deansgate. His bills were extravagant affairs and a showcase for the developing talents of his wrestling daughters Hellcat Haggerty, Lolita Loren and Patty McGoohan.
Combat Sports
Norfolk based wrestler Terry Goodrum still incites mixed emotions amongst enthusiasts many years later due to his involvement in the Bill Clarke persona of King Kendo (left versus Judo John Brown in a Dennis Lord Promotion ).
Goodrum. Who wrestled under the name Sandor Kovacs, promoted under the Combat Sports banner in the midlands during the 1970s.
Continental Promotions
Dropkick Johnny Peters was one of the most popular wrestlers in southern rings for many years, forming a highly successful tag partnership with Dazzler Joe Cornelius. Like many others he left Joint Promotions and began both promoting, as Continental Promotions. Eventually the hatchet was buried and Continental Promotions reached an agreement with Joint that enabled them to work co-operatively and use Joint Promotion wrestlers on their shows.
Devereux Promotions
We are never quite sure whether we should include Devereux as one of the true independents
or not, so close was their working relationship with Joint Promotions. This arrangement meant that Devereux fans were able to watch both independent and Joint Promotion wrestlers on the same bill, resulting in some extraordinary shows. Herbert Devereux started the business, which was later inherited by son, Charles. Matchmaker was Ken Joyce, and he eventually bought the business. Renowned for shows of a very high standard, which were second to none.
Ellis Promotions
Tony Ellis was the man behind London based Ellis Promotions, and he wrestled on the bills as Tony Kolokotroni. He presented shows mainly in the London area, with proceeds often going to charity.
Gamewell Promotions
This Norwich based outfit stretches the very edges of the Wrestling Heritages timescale, coming into existence during the mid 1980s. We think it deserves a mention because it embodies so much of the heritage we seek to preserve. Run by Trevor Denny, known to many as a referee and MC on All Star shows, Gamewell Promotions used many of wrestlers nurtured by Brian Trevors. Shows were presented in East Anglian holiday camps and small public halls. Amongst those appearing were established stars such as Brian Maxine, Mal Sanders, and Neil Sands as well as youngster such as Ivan Trevors, Sandon Kovacs, Steve Quintain, Jimmy Ocean, Colin Craig, Johnny Silver, Tony Barron, Robin Howard, Andy Bloomfield and Eddie McCracken, and Ricky Knight. Gamewell Promotions continued operating until the early 1990s. With thanks to reader Andrew Bloomfield.
Independent Joint Promotions
Ray Fury was well known to television fans in 1969 when they were shocked to hear that he had gone into business with fellow Joint Promotions wrestler Frank Rimer and would henceforth be cunningly known as Independent Joint Promotions.
Shows were first rate and and created quite a buzz of excitement amongst fans when the company was formed. They used the best talent available on the independent circuit, men like Josef Zaranoff and Farmer Johnny Allan. Rimer is still heavily involved in wrestling as founder of the Dropkixx Wrestling Academy, one of the organisers of the Wrestling Reunion and the man behind the excellent Wrestlers Reunion website.
Inter-Continental Promotions
There was a lively wrestling scene on the Isle of Man in the late sixties and early seventies. George Barnabus opened a wrestling gymnasium and trained a number of local boys, including Phil Barry, Mike Young and Bill Kennedy amongst others. Needing somewhere to display their talents it was necessary to form Inter-Continental Promotions, who organised tournaments around the island from their Douglas office.
International Promotions
One of the biggest names on the independent wrestling circuit was Accrington’s Jack
Taylor and one of the biggest promotions was his Leicester based International Promotions. Taylor has promoted wrestling for five decades, into the twenty-first century. Pat Roach acknowledged his entry into the paid ranks, and all his subsequent successes, would have been very unlikely without the encouragement and knowledge of Jack Taylor. Not unlike a modern soccer scout Taylor would travel around the country seeking out promising young athletes to invite along to his gym in Granby Road, Leicester.
He promoted regularly throughout the North and Midlands, with the Granby Hall, Leicester being one of his main venues for over twelve years. His influence spread further afield by matchmaking for other independent promoters. When Birmingham promoter Lew Phillips became disillusioned with boxing he chose to go into the thriving wrestling business. Well aware of his own lack of experience in this field he turned to Jack Taylor to act as a mentor and matchmaker for his new business.
Paul Lincoln Management
The most famous of all independent promoters, and justifiably so. Australian wrestler Paul Lincoln left 
behind a successful career with Joint Promotions in 1959 to set up in direct opposition to Dale Martin, promoting wrestling shows about the south. Initially dismissed by Dale Martin as little more than an irritation the energy, determination and skillfulness of Lincoln meant that he was soon to become a rival who could not be ignored.
Lincoln’s challenge to the might of Joint Promotions is well documented in our “A Year of Wrestling” series (1959-65). So great a threat was Lincoln to the Joint Promotions business that when Jarvis Astaire added Dale Martin Promotions to his portfolio of Northern wrestling promotions it made obvious business sense for him to buy out the rival Paul Lincoln Promotions also.
Dennis Lord Promotions
Dennis Lord turned to wrestling promoting in the 1970s after a serious car accident brought an end to his wrestling career. He made good use of the partnerships he had already made to attract some of the biggest names in the business to tournaments throughout Yorkshire and Scotland. Johnny Saint, Lee Sharron, Terry Goodrum, Toma Hanson, Bill Clarke, Pedro the Gypsy, Butcher Goodman, and Klondyke Jake (left, posting Ace Ricardoin a Dennis Lord show) were amongst those appearing regularly on Dennis’ shows. Those shows varied in size from working men’s clubs, modern sports hall, large public and civic halls, and even holiday parks. 
Tyne Tees television capitalised on Dennis’ experience when they made television programmes, about female wrestling and boxers versus wrestlers, the latter featuring Terry Downes and Chris Finnegan.
The photographs are a record of the very first Dennis Lord Promotion, and what a fine affair it was! The man himself, Dennis Lord, is the well scrubbed up fellah in the bow tie. Pictured also is The Sheik and Miss Great Britain, Pat Morgan, we’ll leave you to sort those two out. The second photo shows one of the bouts from that bill with Ace Ricardo on the receiving end of a posting from Klondyke Jake. Dennis’ last promotion, a big event at Elmdon Square, Newcastle, featured Johnny Saint as top of the bill, and Dennis was honoured to have amongst the audience an ex wrestler and his good friend Ted Beckham. Ted had been one of the great masked heavyweights of the forties and fifties, The Blue Mask, and had entertained and inspired Dennis as a child and youth at the New St James Hall, Newcastle.
Matsports
It was all too easy for those wrestling enthusiasts raised on a staple diet of television wrestling to dismiss the independent wrestlers as second rate. That was undeniably not the case as most big names did wrestle for the independents at some time in their career. Joe D’Orazio, Eddie Capelli and George Kidd are just three that can be named. They left Joint Promotions in the early sixties and formed Mat Sports, inevitably putting on first rate shows throughout Scotland. often working in conjunction with boxing promoter Peter Keenan.
Northern International
One of the post war legends who wrestled and promoted well into the 1970s Cyril Knowles held the Joint Promotions middleweight title for a period in 1954, but as his wrestling career reached its twilight years he became an influential promoter of the 1960s and 1970s, using the name Northern International. Unsurprisingly his main sphere of work was in the north, but he did also venture into the Midlands and Wales.
Pallo Enterprises
It was something of a surprise to most fans when Jackie Pallo announced that he was leaving Joint Promotions to set up a rival business. He styled himself “The Star Who presents the Stars,” and he certainly did because Pallo put on some tremendous shows with the biggest names around at the time. He provided more than a credible challenge to Joint promotions, and is rumoured to have come close to snatching the television contract in 1982. It has been said that his business skills lagged behind his matchmaking and wrestling skills, which may well be why the illusive television contract remained just that.
Lew Phillips
To describe Lew Phillips Thursday night shows at the Digbeth Civic Hall as legendary may be an exaggeration, but not much of one. The Birmingham boxing promoter turned to wrestling when boxing was in the doldrums during the 1960s, calling on the support of Jack Taylor to put on some tremendous shows. When Wrestling Heritage writers met up with the great Count Bartelli some forty years ago he singled out Phillips as one of the promoters he respected most. Some forty years later fans still recall Bartelli’s defence of his Commonwealth title against India’s Maruti Vardar on a 1968 Lew Phillips show. Bartelli laughingly told us this was because it had gone to a fifteen round draw and they missed the last bus home!
Premier Promotions
Not the Freemantle outfit we now all admire, but the original Premier Promotions and members of the British Wrestling Federation.
Premier Promotions
John Freemantle’s Premier Promotions began life in 1987, which means it only just fits into our tribute years. In spirit, though, Freemantle is up there receiving our acknowledgement and admiration as much as anyone, because Premier Promotions continue to present traditional wrestling up to the present day. To enter the business in 1987 demonstrates more than a little courage. The way in which Fremantle has conducted that business furing the following twenty years has shown a great deal of integrity.
Dominic Pye Promotions
Dirty Dominic took up the wrestling mantle from father Jack. When the family moved from Yorkshire to Blackpool Dominic opened a wrestling gymnasium training youngsters like Harry Strickland, later to gain fame as Jock Cameron. During the summer season Dominic would promote shows three times a week, usually featuring himself and his wrestling brother, Crafty Casey Pye, otherwise known as Harry Bennett the Barnsley brawler. During the day girls would walk up and down Blackpool promenade handing out adverts for that days tournament – innovative marketing in those days!
Ring Promotions
Everyone has heard of Black Butcher Johnson the wrestler, but in the 1960s he was another wrestler who turned his hand to promoting, in partnership with John Spear, under the name Ring Promotions
Ringsport Promotions
Evan Treharne (getting involved in the action on the left) had published Combat and Ringsport before he moved 
into wrestling promotion under the name Ringsport Promotions.
Formed in 1971 and promoted shows in the working men’s clubs and small halls of South Wales, using wrestlers such as Killer Ken Davies, the Cartwright brothers and Reg Yeats.
Solent Wrestling Promotions
Solent Wrestling Promotions was owned by wrestler Jimmy Hagan until it was taken over by Southampton's Ian 
Dowland. Ian was, at the time, refereeing for promoters that included Brian Dixon, Jackie Pallo and Orig Williams. Ian ran Solent Wrestling Promotions for five years, from 1973 until 1978, putting on shows in Andover, Southampton, and Portsmouth, amongst other towns along the south coast. Wrestlers working for Solent Promotions included Ricky Knight, Tarzan Johnny Wilson, the Lapaque brothers, Jackie Pallo, The Wildman of Borneo, Judo Al Hollamby and The Tarantula, who Ian also managed. When Wrestling Heritage spoke to Ian he singled out Al Hollamby as one individual who had been a great help to him when starting out in the business, and someone to whom he will always be grateful. Ian Dowland is shown with The Tarantula and The Wildman (Ian's the one in the middle!)
Star Promotions
In the late 1960s, early 70s Bill and Ron Clarke, who wrestled as the Lincolnshire Poachers, put the Eastern England county well and truly on the wrestling map with their Star Promotions business. Shows were presented regularly around the county in venues that were too small to attract the attention of Joint Promotions. For many fans, however, the lasting memory of Bill is for the part he played as King kendo, a Kendo Nagasaki lookalike, though many would claim he looked nothing like him.
Twentieth Century Promotions
Before taking over almost the whole Joint Promotion network Max Crabtree was a successful and creative independent promoter. At times worked in conjunction with Joint Promotions, but later worked independently. He managed Twentieth Century Promotions with his brother Brian and Norman Berry.
Unique Wrestling Promotions
Former professional wrestler Grant Fodderingham was another who turned his hand to promoting during the 1960s with Unique being yet another of those Manchester based outfits that made the North West such an exciting place to be for 1960s fans of the independent scene.
Verdun Leslie Promotions
Popular London based promotional company of the sixties and seventies run by wrestler Judo Al Hollamby (right) . In 1978 Verdun Leslie Promotions challenged the London ban on women wrestling by matchmaking a contest between Sue Brittain and Jill St John in Wimbledon. Although the Greater London Council forbade such a contest Sue Brittain challenged the decision under the Equal Opportunities Act, which ruled in her favour. The bout eventually took place in 1979. Following the bout the GLC appealed against the ruling and the ban on women’s wrestling was re-introduced.
World Wide Promotions
Bobby Barron, the charismatic Blackpool heavyweight as opposed to anyone smaller with a similar name, is another of those unsung heroes to whom so many wrestlers have acknowledged their gratitude. In the 1970s Barron took over from where Dominic Pye had left off, training and promoting young professionals throughout the North. He held the contract for Pontin’s holiday camps. The list of wrestlers with kind words to say about Bobby is a long one…Steve Regal, Steve Fury, Klondyke Kate, Steve Peacock, Dave Duran and more. Bobby Barron made a huge contribution to British wrestling, largely unrecognised by those who only had eyes for the Joint Promotion shows.
Wrestling Spectaculars Limited (Don Robinson)
Many readers of this site are of a certain age that means offshore radio was another interest during their youth. Most of us were content with listening to the likes of Caroline, Big L and Swinging Radio England. Business entrepreneur, owner of pirate Radio 270 in 1966, councilor, wrestling promoter, and that’s not even mentioning the dolphins, Don Robinson is a man who has had (and still has) fingers in many pies. The high profile Scarborough businessman was one of the North East’s biggest wrestling promoters, shows often featuring Robinson’s colleague Tommy Hanson, known to fans as Norwegian Toma Hanson.
Other Independent Promotions
Please let us have any additions to this list (operational before 1988) or additional information about any of those listed.
Bartley Promotions
1960s and 1970s promoters in the North of England and Wales.
Len Britton
The popular Brixton heavyweight promoted in the London area during the sixties.
Dave Daring
Norfolk promotion of the late 1980s, using wrestlers such as Ivan Trevors, Robin Howard and Steve Quintain
D.S. Promotions
1980s London based promotions of Dave Steele
John Ford
Stoke on Trent promoter of the 1970s.
Independent Promotions
Owned and managed by Tommy Whelan.
Interlink Promotions
Midlands promoters of the 1960s and 1970s.
Jerry Jeary Promotions
A Midland promoter who presented both outright independent shows and others in co-operation with Joint Promotions.
Northwestern Promotions
Manchester based business run by Jack Jefferson
Olympic Promotions
Southern promoters
Premiere Promotions
London based business run byFrank Price.
Les Prest Promotions
Independent wrestler Les Prest presented shows on Teeside and Yorkshire.
Steve Quintain
Promoted regularly on the pier at Lowestoft throughout the 1980s and early 1990s using a combination of local wrestlers and a good smattering of top names including the likes of Rocco, Finlay, Saint etc.
Solak Promotions
Promotional business of wrestler Al Solak.
Southern Promotions
1960s and 1970s Bournemouth based outfit presenting shows, not surprisingly, in the South.
Spartan Promotions
Ayr based promoters who presented Scottish shows in the 1970s.
Starr Promotions
1960s and 1970s promotion in the Midlands and East.
Universal Promotions
Yorkshire based promoters of the 1960s and 1970s.
Syd Vickers
Burnley based company of heavyweight wrestler Syd.
World Wide Promotions
Gordon Corbett was a mainstay of the independent circuit of the 1960s and went on to promote under the World Wide Promotions banner from his Birmingham base.
Wrestling Enterprises
An early name for the company that was to become All Star Promotions..
