Councillor publishes book chronicling 20 years as a wrestler

An Aberdeen councillor has published a new book chronicling his 20 years spent as a wrestler.

Len Ironside clocked up more than 300 bouts in the ring during a grappling career which spanned from the early 1970s to 1992.

At a height of 5ft 3in, and weighing little more than 11 stone, he did not let his small frame hold him back as he went on to clinch Commonwealth and European belts.

He said: "I think that did work to my advantage. That was the style I had to use.

"A low centre of gravity and getting through their legs, getting behind them, getting round them.

"Just so they couldn't catch me. It was like a game of nip and tuck really. They couldn't catch me so that was fine.

"I always recognised that these big guys, if they got hold of me . . . I remember one time refereeing between Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks. Just by accident Haystacks crossed the ring, stood on my foot and I was crippled for six weeks. These guys could really mash you up."

Mr Ironside is a Labour councillor for the Kingswells and Sheddocksley areas of Aberdeen.

During his wrestling career he was crowned European Lightweight Champion, Scottish Welterweight Champion and Commonwealth Lightweight Champion 1978-1980.

The book, When You're Ready Boys - Take Hold: My Grappling Story, is available to buy.

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