Wigan Album

great photo josie billy and my grandfather were good friends

A "visit" to http://www.snakepitwigan.com will show the massive contribution that Billy Riley gave to this sport. There are 4 online videos to look at including the one made by Granada in 1989, entitled "The Wigan Hold" - fascinating stuff.

A lot of admirable things can be said appertaining to Billy Riley, one of which. "He was a real gentleman." As was his son Ernie. Used his gym, in Whelley, in the late 50s. where a lot of the local wrestlers' trained. I used it, to keep myself fit. I was no wrestler. Went there with Ted Knipe, Jock Scott, and Alan ?. Wigan Borough Police officers' They were quite good amateur wrestlers.

The other name that slipped my memory was Alan Cotton. He was another Wigan Borough Police Officer.

Once described as "the godfather of wrestling in Wigan" a man who was "tough mentally, physically and morally" - a great wrestler and a great coach - he was responsible for setting up Riley's Gym at the bottom of Pyke Street which produced numerous champions and became world renowned.

when i was seventee i worked at crosses and heatonsi met a man called ernie smithi told him i practised judohe invited meto choke him and although he was quite short in height he was slabbedwith dense muscle and my efforts were futile he said his pro wresting name was saxon smithl

Hi Albert , I am currently writing a book on Billy Riley , the wrestlers and the gym. if you could contact me on stephen@snakepitwigan.com that would be great as i'd love to talk to you