Wrestling world pays tribute to Northumberland man who devoted almost 70 years to the sport

Roger Robson died peacefully at his home near Carlisle, on January 6, aged 78, having battled with a long-standing illness for 25 years.

Born the son of a mole-catcher in a family of hill farmers, he was brought up in Alnwick.

From his father teaching him as a child the basics of a family tradition, and his first win at Rochester Show in the under 11s, Roger stayed involved with Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling for almost 70 years.

He became the first in his family to attend university, gaining a degree in English Literature at Durham and it was there he met Jill, his wife of more than 55 years. They had three children, Heather, Simon and Catherine, and six grandchildren.

Roger taught English at schools in County Durham and Cumbria before taking early retirement in 1993, devoting more time to his farming of Belted Galloway cattle and sheep.

He did weekly reports on Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling in the Cumberland News for 41 years.

Roger had a book of short stories published in September 2019. His book is called ‘The Understanding: The Shepherd, the Poacher, the Mole-catcher’. It reflects Roger’s upbringing in rural Northumberland.

Chris Bland, president of the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association (CWWA), said: “Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling has lost a real stalwart.

"Roger was steeped in the sport with a father and uncles who all competed.

“As a competitor himself, he was a true gentleman, always taking a fair hold and never seeking to gain an unfair advantage.

"In his newspaper reports he frequently referred to people who were ‘putting something back into the sport’ but no one put more back than Roger Robson.

“He will be sorely missed and we give thanks for all that he has contributed to our sport during a lifetime of involvement.”

Linda Scott, chairman of the CWWA, added “We have lost a great wrestling advocate, historian, mentor and friend.

"Roger had time for everyone and enriched the lives of many. He will be a huge miss but will forever remain in our hearts and our memories.”

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