DAVEY STALFORD

Davey Stalford from Belfast was proud to wear the Red Hand of Ulster flag on the front of his leotard. He came from the same wrestling stable in Northern Ireland that produced among others The Amazing Kung Fu and Dave Finlay - now a big name in the rings of the WWE. Although only a part-time wrestler, Davey travelled all over Europe, Asia, and Africa on tours promoted by Orig Williams. He was a good man to have on the team - he could do anything that he turned his hand to. If the car broke down in the middle of the desert, you could rely on Davey to get you motoring again. If something happened to the ring - he could fix it. If someone was required to go on with the local 'shooter' - Davey was your man. As a man and as a wrestler he was fearless. Nothing phased him. A nicer man you couldn't meet. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and only ever saw good in people. He was a hard man who only ever showed his soft side - just like a teddy bear. Davey fought his toughest battle in 2001 - against cancer. He lost - but he went down fighting. He was a hard man who lived life to the full and faced the inevitable with courage. He was a one-off who touched the hearts of everyone he met. I cried on the day he died and I cried again when I visited his grave four years later. He is still sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Hanging on the wall in Orig Williams' office, is a frame with a picture of Davey and the words The Bravest Man Who Ever Lived - a fitting tribute.

Credit: Peter McNolte

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