Wigan and Leigh Archives Online

Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling in Wigan Borough

These images form a part of Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club's extensive archive, which consists of programmes, entry forms, posters, trophies, medals, photographs and VHS tapes relating to Catch-As-Catch-Can wrestling. It is stored in purpose built room within the gym itself, keeping the history of this sport accessible to anyone who trains there.

In 2022, Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club were awarded a £10,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to conserve, exhibit, repackage, catalogue and digitise elements of this collection. This collection forms the 'digital' strand of this project. 

180 items were found within Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling in Wigan Borough

Roy Wood, and two of the many wrestlers he has coached over the years
Roy Wood, and two of the many wrestlers he has coached over the years
The team training in Japan, in the mid 1990s
The team training in Japan, in the mid 1990s
Professional wrestling in Japan, between 2 English wrestlers
Professional wrestling in Japan, between 2 English wrestlers
Roy Wood & Ernie Riley, and an American team who came to visit
Roy Wood & Ernie Riley, and an American team who came to visit
Roy Wood receives an award from the Mayor & Graham Metcalfe
Roy Wood receives an award from the Mayor & Graham Metcalfe
MUGA: The Catch of Lancashire, in the mid 1990s
MUGA: The Catch of Lancashire, in the mid 1990s
Professional wrestling in Japan
Professional wrestling in Japan
Roy and his wife enjoying drinks with the team, in Japan
Roy and his wife enjoying drinks with the team, in Japan
Darren Maironis faces off, in Japan
Darren Maironis faces off, in Japan
Pro wrestling action in Japan, for a MUGA event, in the mid 1990s
Pro wrestling action in Japan, for a MUGA event, in the mid 1990s
A perfectly timed photo, before an almighty crash on the canvas
A perfectly timed photo, before an almighty crash on the canvas
Darren Maironis, who wrestled under Roy Wood in Japan
Darren Maironis, who wrestled under Roy Wood in Japan
Roy Wood, and his team of young upcoming wrestlers
Roy Wood, and his team of young upcoming wrestlers
Roy Wood meets the Headshrinkers (Sam Fatu & Rikishi) in Japan 1990
Roy Wood meets the Headshrinkers (Sam Fatu & Rikishi) in Japan 1990
The team in Japan, getting ready for their event that evening
The team in Japan, getting ready for their event that evening
Roy Wood & his team visit a Sumo dojo
Roy Wood & his team visit a Sumo dojo
Roy Wood referees a match in Japan, for a MUGA event
Roy Wood referees a match in Japan, for a MUGA event
When two wrestling styles meet: Roy Wood visits a Sumo dojo, in Japan in the mid 1990s
When two wrestling styles meet: Roy Wood visits a Sumo dojo, in Japan in the mid 1990s