GIANT HAYSTACKS

One of the most recognised British grapplers ever, Giant Haystacks died on Sunday 29th November, 1998 after a 2-year battle with cancer. Born in Camberwell Green, London, he stood 6'11" tall and weighed well over 45-stone at his heaviest. Most remembered for his long-standing feud with Big Daddy, Haystacks was frequently watched by 10 million viewers on a Saturday afternoon, hauling his massive bulk into the ring and making very short work of his opponent.

Having started wrestling in 1967, he became a household name in the mid-70's when he was one of the biggest wrestlers in Europe. He would do his thinking during hours of driving - 120,000 miles a year was only average!

Among his friends was Sir Paul McCartney who asked Haystacks to be in his 1984 film, "Give My Regards To Broad Street" and would often go to wrestling shows with his son in Sussex when the big man was top of the bill.

In 1996, Haystacks appeared in the U.S.A under the W.C.W banner as "The Loch Ness Monster", fighting many of America's top wrestlers.

As a youngster, Haystacks' parents, who came from Co. Mayo, Ireland, wanted him to be a musician and he started to learn the piano, but with his huge hands and fingers it soon became a futile task! Over his years of wrestling, he wrestled all over the world, most notably in the German tournaments and East Africa. He was actually made an honourary citizen of Zimbabwe.

After a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Frank Sinatra claimed that he had seen the Giant on television that afternoon and stated that he thought that British wrestlers were the best in the world.

Although one of the toughest, roughest opponents of all time on the British wrestling circuit, Giant Haystacks will be sorely missed by grapple fans not only up and down the British Isles, but all over the world.

Rest In Peace.....GIANT HAYSTACKS