Douglas Clark
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In Huddersfield, England where he spent many years as a member of their Rugby League team, Clark was some what of a local hero. He is still remembered fondly to this day for his time on the pitch. While on the team they won many championships. As well as playing for Huddersfield, he was also a player for the England team. It was his time on the national team that possibly earned him such a 'celebrity' status, as he was a member of a famous match that has since been named 'Rorke's Drift' where England defeated Australia in Sydney during 1914.
When the war broke out he was called up into duty and suffered injuries from shrapnel and was said to be badly gassed resulting in him being sent home. What happened to him was so serious he was advised to never compete in active sports again, naturally he ignored doctors advice and once recovered, and the war was over, he picked back up with Huddersfield.
He continued to play on the field until 1929 when he finally retired. Of course, I wouldn't be writing this piece if he didn't then go on to step inside of the wrestling ring. Truth is, he had stepped into a ring prior to 1929. While in the army he won championships within his division before his injury. Not only that, but since the age of 15 he had been competing in tournaments in the Cumberland and Westmorland area and won many of them.
During the years of 1922 and 1924 Clark won the prestigious Grasmere Wrestling Cup which was won at the Annual Grasmere Sports and Show event which had been in place since 1852. It still takes place to this day.
By 1931 he was at the top of the professional ranks. His name meant he instantly garnered interest from the public and of course he was a very notable wrestler on top of that. It's said that in the early part of 1931 he defeated the British wrestling legend Atholl Oakeley in a tournament final to become the All-In British Heavyweight Championship.
The British Heavyweight Championship was pretty heavily disputed during the 1930's and many different title claimants were lurking about (Quite similar to America at that time really). Clark laid claim to the title for much of the decade, sometimes he had a more substantial claim to it than others, such as when he defeated Billy Garnon in 1934. It is pretty hard to state he was ever the undisputed champion of Britain.
Huddersfield records often state that he was a World Heavyweight Champion and secured that title while on tour of Australia. It's very true he did tour Australia and won the British Empire Heavyweight Championship while over there, but that was about it and he would lose it to Tom Lurich and then lose subsequent rematches also during 1936.
By the time 1940 rolled around Clark was 49 years old and was starting to wind up the wrestling gear and fully retired in 1941 at the age of fifty years old. He continued to live an active life though, swimming, playing golf, running, etc, and took up a job as a coal merchant before he passed away suddenly in 1951.
In Huddersfield, England where he spent many years as a member of their Rugby League team, Clark was some what of a local hero. He is still remembered fondly to this day for his time on the pitch. While on the team they won many championships. As well as playing for Huddersfield, he was also a player for the England team. It was his time on the national team that possibly earned him such a 'celebrity' status, as he was a member of a famous match that has since been named 'Rorke's Drift' where England defeated Australia in Sydney during 1914.
When the war broke out he was called up into duty and suffered injuries from shrapnel and was said to be badly gassed resulting in him being sent home. What happened to him was so serious he was advised to never compete in active sports again, naturally he ignored doctors advice and once recovered, and the war was over, he picked back up with Huddersfield.
He continued to play on the field until 1929 when he finally retired. Of course, I wouldn't be writing this piece if he didn't then go on to step inside of the wrestling ring. Truth is, he had stepped into a ring prior to 1929. While in the army he won championships within his division before his injury. Not only that, but since the age of 15 he had been competing in tournaments in the Cumberland and Westmorland area and won many of them.
During the years of 1922 and 1924 Clark won the prestigious Grasmere Wrestling Cup which was won at the Annual Grasmere Sports and Show event which had been in place since 1852. It still takes place to this day.
By 1931 he was at the top of the professional ranks. His name meant he instantly garnered interest from the public and of course he was a very notable wrestler on top of that. It's said that in the early part of 1931 he defeated the British wrestling legend Atholl Oakeley in a tournament final to become the All-In British Heavyweight Championship.
The British Heavyweight Championship was pretty heavily disputed during the 1930's and many different title claimants were lurking about (Quite similar to America at that time really). Clark laid claim to the title for much of the decade, sometimes he had a more substantial claim to it than others, such as when he defeated Billy Garnon in 1934. It is pretty hard to state he was ever the undisputed champion of Britain.
Huddersfield records often state that he was a World Heavyweight Champion and secured that title while on tour of Australia. It's very true he did tour Australia and won the British Empire Heavyweight Championship while over there, but that was about it and he would lose it to Tom Lurich and then lose subsequent rematches also during 1936.
By the time 1940 rolled around Clark was 49 years old and was starting to wind up the wrestling gear and fully retired in 1941 at the age of fifty years old. He continued to live an active life though, swimming, playing golf, running, etc, and took up a job as a coal merchant before he passed away suddenly in 1951.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Douglas Clark.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #29.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: September 28, 2019.