Description

The incredible story of two wrestling legends who defined the sport in Britain in its glorious heyday. Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks is a rags-to-riches tale of unlikely fame, family loyalty, tragic death and a uniquely British pop culture phenomenon.

From the acclaimed author of Dynamite & Davey: The Explosive Lives of the British Bulldogs.

As the 1970s began, Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy) was a semi-retired wrestler, aged 40; the younger Martin Ruane (Giant Haystacks), a down-on-his-luck father of three. Both were living in poverty, scratching out a living in the murky underworld of northern England as nightclub doormen. A decade later, they were two of the most famous faces in Britain, with record-breaking millions tuning in to watch them clash at Wembley. But the glory wouldnâ (TM)t last forever.

Perfect for all wrestling fans, this engrossing book:

Takes you on a riveting narrative-nonfiction roller-coaster ride through one of British pop cultureâ (TM)s most unlikely success stories
Features exclusive insights from key figures of the era â " including wrestlers Bret â ~The Hitmanâ (TM) Hart, former British heavyweight champion Tony St. Clair and â ~Superstarâ (TM) Mal Sanders, plus promoters and historians
Traces the rags-to-riches lives of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks â " real-life giants Shirley Crabtree and Martin Ruane
Charts the rise of British wrestling as a national obsession, drawing millions of viewers each week
Is packed with nostalgia and enhanced by a stunning photo section

This compelling book will whisk those who were there straight back to the era of big-time British wrestling â " and give those who werenâ (TM)t a tantalising taste of what they missed.