Description
All-in-Wrestling was extremely popular in 1930s Bolton. The observers collected information by visiting matches and a letter writing competition. We think this photograph was taken in the Worktown Stadium, which was in a converted mill on Turton Street. If you can help us identify it please leave a comment below.
Whilst this is referred to as ‘All-in-wrestling’ in the programme, this form of wrestling actually originates from Lancashire ‘Catch as Catch Can’ wrestling. Bolton, along with Wigan, is probably the epicentre of the sport. We made a low-budget documentary (Catch: the hold not taken) some 10 years ago on the forgotten legacy of Lancashire wrestling – it shaped both the amateur and professional worlds. It is amazing that this piece of working class British history, well known in the US and Japan – is so little known here.