CATCH & Wigan

Billy Riley & his gym became household names in Wigan. Billy is pictured in the centre.

Billy Riley is a CATCH legend and a Wigan hero.

It was mainly thanks to his efforts that the CATCH style survived into the 20th Century.

With the help of friends and wrestlers, Billy was able to open a ramshackle gym.

Described as cold, damp and basic to say the least, the gym became a centre of CATCH wrestling in the North West: a wrestling mecca.

Opening Riley's gym in Wigan, aka 'the Snakepit', meant Billy was able to teach submission wrestling to generations of fighters. If you wanted to learn CATCH and you wanted to become a professional wrestler, you went to Billy Riley and he'd make you a champ.

Producing champions

Some of his pupils include: Karl Gotch, Bill Robinson, his own son Ernie Riley and Jimmy Niblett (aka Bob Sherry).

Roy Wood, was one of Billy's last students and often helped Billy with the training sessions. Eventually, it was Roy who would train and Billy would look on from his armchair in the corner.

Though Wigan's prominence as a wrestling town has been overshadowed by the sport of rugby, the tradition lives on today through the Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club.

Managed by Roy Wood, the club ensures that catch-as-catch-can remains close to its roots.

(back to top)

Notes: image provided courtesy of Roy Wood