Alf Rawlings

[Hack]

I've been asked for information on Alf Rawlings; a personal request that I'd like us to be able to help with. I remember his sons wrsetling (just), but I think Alf left the scene around 1963.

I know it's going back a long way bit does anyone have information or memories of Alf?

[Eddie Rose]

Alf Rawlins was a craggy, gnarled veteran when I met him (socially, I might add). He was a rugged heavyweight with bald head, broken nose and cauliflower ears and was matched against all the top heavies of the time: Mike Marino, Tony Mancelli, Dennis Mitchell, Francis Sullivan, etc.

The most entaining match I witnessed was Alf Rawlins verus Robert Duranton. Duranton was the possesser of a Mr Universe build, tanned, long hair and rather camp. What a contrast but the crowd loved it.

The two other members of the clan were Bill and Jim, two stocky mid-heavies who had the skill but did not have the same ring presence as Alf. As a 3-man tag team in the 50s and 60s they were quite formidable but usually went the disqualification route. Without Alf, the two brother did a competent job but that little dash of villainy and toughness was missing. Chips without salt and vinegar?

[Hack]

Thanks Eddie. As I said originally this is a very personal search from a group of people who came across Alf many years ago, have fond memories but knew little about him.

I've passed on your message and received the following reply

"Great info Eddie. I’m passing on to very interested parties
Thanks for your trouble."

Anyone else with memories of Alf please post.

[grizzledveteran]

I am sorry to once again be regurgitating something posted elsewhere albeit in 2005 but there is more than a passing refernce to the Rawlings Clan I thought I would share it again.

Quote
In his tribute to Yorkshire, Alan Bamber mentioned Alf ‘Hooker’ Rawlings and his son Bill, but unusually overlooked the other son Jim who was also a wrestler. The names jogged my memory of a unique, at that time, team match. So new I actually wrote the rules and results down on a separate piece of paper to make sure I had got it right.

Our hero the Turbulent One Alan Garfield was at the height of his powers at the time and I had seen him for the first time in October 1958 where in an ‘All Australian’ match he had defeated Ray Hunter by 2/1. Then in November he defeated the interestingly named ‘Tarzan’ Taborda the ‘Idol of Portugal’ also by 2/1. Garfield won both those contests by submissions.

On a side issue the latter contest was on a bill in a series held regularly at Eltham Baths in South East London. This venue was deep in the heart of Dale Martin territory but promoted by Norman Morrell using regular DM wrestlers, but no acknowledgement of DM on program.

In April 1959 it was announce that the Rawlings family were in town with a Tag Team Challenge with a side stake of £50 (a lot of money then!) to be given away at ringside if they lost!

The Team that answered the challenge was Alan Garfield, Gori Ed Mongotich, and Tibor Szakacs. An interesting combination two heels with what we now know was the fairly newly arrived Tibor.

Although revolutionary at the time the rules were much as we would now expect. Three individual contests followed by a three man tag match. However bear in mind that at this time I had never seen or heard of a tag match!

In the individual contests; Alf pinned Mangotich, and Alan and Tibor pinned Jim and Bill respectively. So the Rawlings trailed 2 to 1.

Going into the tag Alan extracted submissions from both Bill and Jim in fairly quick succession. So the Rawlings now trailed 4 to 1! Some of the audience were probably already mentally counting the money.

Then Alf entered the fray and k.o.’d both Mangotich and Tibor, I seem to recall his favourite finisher was the piledriver. So it was now 4 to 3!

It was now Alf and Alan and after a flurry of action Alf gained a submission.
So; 4 to 4 the next score must be the winner.

But to everyone’s disappointment Alan refused to continue on his own and the Rawlings were declared the winners.  

For the record in the opening contest Don Branch beat Reg Ray 2 to 1 in seven rounds.

UNquote

[Riot Squad]

That's great, Grizzled Veteran, I hadn't seen that before.  Engrossing stuff.

Also to see this odd point that Alan Garfield was occasionally billed from Australia.

Alf Rawlings sounds like he was a great villain and seems to have looked like Doug Joyce.

There was a bald, broken-nosed veteran who did lots of tv work in the sixties, who was he?  He also had a few teeth missing at the sides, just to enhance his looks?

[Dave Sutherland]

The Rawlings Trio wrestled on numerous occasions at St James Hall, Newcastle vs various teams e.g Scotland, Ireland etc similar to those described above and always culminating in the 3 man tag. Unfortunately by the time that I got to see live matches there Alf Rawlings had retired although I was to see Bill and Jim on several occasions over the ensuing years. With the two man tag suddenly gaining such popularity the 3 man version faded into obscurity and I have always been curious as to how it worked.
I regret having never seen Alf wrestle but Bill and Jim were reliable jouneymen.

[Hack]

Thanks for the posts so far. The memories posted so far have been circulated amongst a group of people who knew Alf when they were children. They are very grateful for readers filling in the gaps for them, and it means a lot to them to know he was well respected. Any more memories, please post, however small they may seem to you.

[Riot Squad]

Thanks to Dave, Eddie and the Grizzled Veteran the ex residents of Eastwell Lodge Children's home have been able to acknowledge Uncle Alf

Eastwell Lodge Children Remember Unclle Alf