I wonder if any of you can help?
A slight digression from the misery of what is currently EFC, but I am pulling together a document summarizing the history of the Everton Red Triangle Boxing Club and its work in the local community.
For those who don't know, the ERT is around 100 years old and originally provided all sorts of activities and sports for the kids in the area. I expect there should be some useful and interesting reminiscences from some of the readers/posters that would be relevant.
I recall reading a few threads recently where the discussion drifted to Nel Tarleton, boxing in general and onto talk of Joe Curran, who ran the ERT for many years. Dave Abrahams and John G. Davies in particular recalled Joe, his family and the ERT in general.
In another thread Rick Tarleton responded to readers' comments about his Uncle, the great Nel Tarleton, who started his career at the ERT and went on to become the British Featherweight champion and outright winner of the Lonsdale Belt on two occasions.
Any reminiscences/stories et. would be welcome.
Thanks,
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Posted
23/01/2018 at
18:22:55
Hi Steve, just noticed your post on another thread.
Regarding the ERT, I was a recorder for the boxing shows as well as drinking at the club. Joey had this great idea of running the boxing club and also as a social club for people who lived in and around the Everton Road area, although every one was welcome.
Joey put a lot of effort into both sides of this enterprise with very little financial gain for himself, if any. He was helped by good coaches and trainers like Harry Curry, Jimmy Gogarty, Tony Carroll, former boxer helped out, all these people and more did mainly to get kids off the street and for somewhere to go and try and make some headway in the boxing game.
The club produced some good fighters in Joey's time at the club including Colin Dunne who later won a world lightweight championship.
Steve, David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo used to cover a lot of the fights at ERT shows and before him Syd Dye, so they might be able to help you with a lot of the boxers of that time. Joey ran ERT shows at The Salisbury club and also The Eldonians club. Alan Lynch a great stalwart of the Salisbury club is another who could possibly help you in your efforts. I hope I have been a little help.
Posted
23/01/2018 at
18:57:15
Dave,
That's great input and thanks for the suggestions.
I have actually been in touch with Dave Prentice and I think he plans on doing an article on the ERT sometime this year, so hopefully I'll have some relevant info I can provide to him by then.
I did unearth some info in old copies of the Echo which talked about the club during Joe Curran's management, referencing the club nurturing future world champion Shea Neary as well as Colin Dunne during his tenure. Also found an article referring to the social side you mention, with the likes of Jools Holland, Frank Carson, Ken Dodd, Charlie Landsborough and Ricky Tomlinson appearing there.
Apparently a relative of Joe's now runs the club which is now a mile away from Everton Road in Albion Street. They have also produced a few professional and amateur champs since the move there.
I actually flew over to Liverpool in December to attend their annual awards night as they have instigated an award in memory of my grandfather who started his professional career there back in 1929 (hence my interest)!
They still have pictures of my grandfather with Nel Tarleton and Dom Volante on the wall. Both of them were also connected to the ERT.
Once again thanks for your help.
Posted
23/01/2018 at
21:48:58
Steve, glad to be of some help, thinking about it I'm not sure but Noel Quarless, heavyweight boxer, fought for either the ERT or the Salisbury club. Ricky Tomlinson actually lived in a flat in the club for a while, and that is a very interesting story, unlike the version Ricky gives in his autobiography.
Good luck, Steve, with your document, the Red Triangle Club and the boxing is all part of the social history of the Everton area and I enjoyed the nights I spent there and the very entertaining boxing shows Joey helped to arrange.
Posted
24/01/2018 at
17:14:27
Steve, just as a point of interest who was your granddad, I'm betting he was some one famous for his boxing career, maybe fought in a world title contest?
Posted
25/01/2018 at
13:03:07
Hi Dave,
His name was Dick Burke. He didn't fight an actual world title fight but fought the then World bantamweight champion Panama Al Brown twice, beat the reigning European bantamweight champion, Domininc Bernasconi and drew with Dick Corbett who was then the British bantamweight champion, all in non-title fights.
He was great friends with Nel Tarleton and I've exchanged many emails with Rick Tarleton on their history together. Both were products of the ERT along with Dom Volante.
It's amazing the club is still going helping youngsters in a pretty deprived area, just like it did nearly 100 years ago.
Posted
25/01/2018 at
15:45:59
Only just seen this article, Steve. Will be an interesting read when complete. A great club Joe ran, with a lot of very talented boxers.
Colin Dunne had a go at working for a racing stable, if I recall correctly, in Newmarket. Joe loved him and it was returned from Colin.
That aside. The cry went up often from Joe after another loser. "He's never sent me a fuckin winner!"
Posted
25/01/2018 at
22:20:25
Steve, thanks for your reply, your granddad was obviously before my time and yet his name rings a bell. I'll google his name and see if his story brings back any memories. Thanks again.
2 Posted 23/01/2018 at 18:22:55
Regarding the ERT, I was a recorder for the boxing shows as well as drinking at the club. Joey had this great idea of running the boxing club and also as a social club for people who lived in and around the Everton Road area, although every one was welcome.
Joey put a lot of effort into both sides of this enterprise with very little financial gain for himself, if any. He was helped by good coaches and trainers like Harry Curry, Jimmy Gogarty, Tony Carroll, former boxer helped out, all these people and more did mainly to get kids off the street and for somewhere to go and try and make some headway in the boxing game.
The club produced some good fighters in Joey's time at the club including Colin Dunne who later won a world lightweight championship.
Steve, David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo used to cover a lot of the fights at ERT shows and before him Syd Dye, so they might be able to help you with a lot of the boxers of that time. Joey ran ERT shows at The Salisbury club and also The Eldonians club. Alan Lynch a great stalwart of the Salisbury club is another who could possibly help you in your efforts. I hope I have been a little help.