My uncle Alec-wrestler/tattooist

[Sammysmiths]

My mam recently passed away and I’ve been sorting through her stuff, old photos etc. Her brother was a guy called Alec McDonald who apparently was well known around Cannon Street area. He was a wrestler/boxer and a tattooist. He had died before I was born so I never met him but heard he was quite a character. I was wondering if anyone on here knew him, or knew of him, and if you can share any stories. I’ve heard he was no angel so I don’t mind if the stories are good or bad. I know the rest of his family from The Cleveland pub (Mac) but he passed away some years ago also.

 

[Norfolkred1]

If your on FB there a number pages regarding Middlesbrough's past, maybe even a Cannon Street one.

 

[pierrequiroule]

My mother and particularly my three uncles would almost certainly have known him as they were jack-the-lads. Unfortunately they have all but one passed away. I do know that there was a boxing/wrestling venue down Farrer Street that was very popular. One of my uncles did a bit of amateur boxing down there but soon graduated to the billiard/snooker hall.

As Norfolk suggests, join one of the many groups and do a search. Memories of Middlesbrough has one of the biggest memberships and I think there might be one called Cannon Street Revisited or something similar.

Memories of Middlesbrough | Facebook

Welcome to Memories of Middlesbrough. This group was created for members to enjoy reminiscing and sharing memories of Middlesbrough. Please note Members using threatening, abusive or hate speech,...

www.facebook.com

Cannon Street Revisited | Facebook

Share your photos and memories of Cannon Street, Middlesbrough: A community lost but not forgotten. Cannon Street Revisited is a Heritage Lottery Funded project ran by Hands on Middlesbrough (a...

www.facebook.com

A quick search brings this up on the Farrer Street Stadium:

Memories of Middlesbrough | Facebook

Welcome to Memories of Middlesbrough. This group was created for members to enjoy reminiscing and sharing memories of Middlesbrough. Please note Members using threatening, abusive or hate speech,...

www.facebook.com

Nice mention for Brian Glover of Kes fame wrestling down there and Pat Roache (Bomber from Auf Wiedersehen Pet).

 

[pierrequiroule]

Sammy, was your mother Rita Cassidy?

I came across this post in the above thread:

Rita Cassidy
My brother Alec MacDonald wrestled there He came on in a kilt and was known as the Scottish Champion (he wasn't)He used to bring home lot's of wrestlers including Billy Two Rivers.

Billy Two rivers and many of the others mentioned were often on TV in the sixties, saturday lunchtime before Grandstand I think.

 

[Sammysmiths]

Yea I was aware my mam was on the Facebook Cannon Street pages. I was just reaching out to some of the old guard on here to see if they could add any stories. Thanks