THE world’s oldest wrestler, Buddy Ward, will be appearing in Bolton for the first time in 50 years on Saturday — and he is hoping some of his pals from the sport’s heyday will drop by.

Buddy, whose real name is Alfred Woodward is now 76 and was one of the many wrestlers who appeared in Bolton during the 1960s.

The town was also home to some of the biggest names in the game, including the Royal Brothers, Roughhouse Alf Cadman and Jim Foy.

“There were a lot of great wrestlers around that era,”

said Ellesmere Port-born Buddy.

“It was very popular in those days.

Nowadays it’s children who go to watch it, but back then it was all grown-ups.”

Buddy won’t be in the ring on Saturday, but he will be sharing some of his memories with the crowd.

Also on the bill are Mike Masters, The Road Warrior and Clinton Steel, along with female wrestlers Pippa Page and Shelley Beach.

“The girls are very good— there’s not many men who could beat them,” said Buddy, who has been married six times and has 30 children.

Brothers Bert and Vic Faulkner, who fought under the name the Royal Brothers, were probably the most famous wrestlers to come out of Bolton in the 1960s.

The pair were undefeated as a tag team throughout the 1960s and 70s, and their style of fighting influenced many of the American names who would become world famous.

Buddy is also hoping for visits from old friends including Bobo Mato and Keith Martinelli.

“Keith’s a good fellow,”

said the wrestler. “He broke my jaw once, but I forgive him.

“And I believe Bobo’s still around — I see him as an extra sometimes on Coronation Street.”

In the 1980s, Boltonians Brian Aspen and Mark Dunbar represented Britain at the Olympic Games in Moscow as part of the national wrestling team, while fans of American Wrestling in Bolton welcomed a visit from one of the most famous wrestling names of all — Big Daddy.

And the sport’s popularity continued into the 1990s, with Giant Haystacks appearing at the Albert Halls in 1993.

Although its popularity has waned, Buddy himself was a hit when he appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News BBC Three programme last year.

Tickets for the event at the Albert Halls cost £12. To book call 01204 334400 or go to alberthalls-bolton.co.uk