To all older wrestling fans it is with deep regret i have to inform you that Duke Badger is terminally ill in West Heath hospital,ward 14 Birmingham.I spent a couple of hours with him last night and he is trying to put on a brave face.He and Klondyke Jake were responsible for me entering the business and as you know i went on to have a long career.If you have time please send him a card or if you know him pop in to see him.He hasnt much time left.Thank you for taking the time to read this,regards Banger.

ps, if you send cards please use his real name Barry Potter.

News like this is always so sad to hear.
Please pass on my best regards to him Banger.
Neil

I'm really sad to hear Badger is so poorly. He's a great bloke and i bet i haven't seen him for about 20 years.

Hi Tony,
Very sad news indeed to hear about the Badger. I remember him very well I first met himself and Klondyke Jake and Gordon Corbett RIP many years ago at the Digbeth Civic Hall Birmingham when I used to do the ring etc for the late Lew Phillips. What characters they all were but all good workers for the business. I will be in the uk myself in two weeks time Blackpool and Llandudno I will try if I can to get to Birmingham. By the way do you remember an Yvonne Potter who used to be in the business, I think she was connected or related to Barry.And if you or anyone else can come across a photograph of the late Lew Phillips I would love to obtain a copy. Let us all remember the Badger.

I've told this story before, but as a senile should be forgiven especially as it's about Duke Badger who we are thinking of.

Duke Badger was MC of a bout where a reasonable but uncolourful heavyweight was substituting for Klondyke Bill. The fans were very disappointed and made their views known during the bout. Duke Badger climbed into the ring, mid round, took the microphone and told the crowd to stop complaining because here they had the chance to watch a fine wrestler in action. We shut up.

Thanks for the news Banger, albeit bad news !
I talked to you this year at the reunion, in fact you were the first person to speak to me when I arrived there.
I reminded you that I first met you years ago in a small Birmingham club where you were wrestling for the Badger and I was seconding for him, you had your mate Dave with you from the fruit and veg place in Leamington.
For me in the 80's they were great days...the Birmingham indie show scene...Badger, Jake (the fake !)and the late Gordon Corbett with his wife Elaine.
Badgers shows at the Hen and Chickens Oldbury ...brilliant stuff and Badger had many top of he bill bouts that were worthy of TV .. Rocco V Cullen , Saint Robinson Jordan St Clair Wilson Maxine Sanders and many many more along with more local scarecly heard of wrestlers.
I still have some of the old sheets he used to write out for me with his venues and dates for me to do the seconding and I used to ring him at his flat in Birmingham where he lived with his daughter.
She used to come to the shows with him and was in her early teens.
I knew he was Barry Potter but only ever called him Badger....my thoughts go out to him and his daughter now..