Jock McAvoy

[rob h]

I have heard stories about this fella from my Grandad and somebody I used to work with. Seemed a right character and also a mean bastard when he wanted to be.

I read the book by Brian Hughes and thought it a brilliant read.

There is also another book out there published years ago but I cant find it anywhere, does anybody know of or own a cope and would you be willing to sell/trade.

Also if anybody has any stories of him they would be much appreciated.

[J]

READ GILROY WAS HERE..lots on why mcavoy dissed Bert and didnt take him on.

our own poster Jim glen co wrote it (gilroy was his granddad)

good read and great snapshot of life around the boxing booth era.

[bobmee]

The other book was The Rochdale Thunderbolt by Jack Doughty, published by Pentaman Press Ltd, in 1991, ISBN 0 9512449 1 4. Pretty rare book now.

[rob h]

Bob thats the one I'm after. I will also check out Gilroy was here. Thanks mate.

A old fellow called Wally told me a story about McAvcoy from when he was in his later years and had Polio. He was in a wheel chair and seemed a lonely man. He hung around a classic car sales company that my friend owned and was always keen to see the big American cars.

One day my friend Wally asked him if he wanted to go for a ride in his newest car, I think it was a Cadillac, big left handed drive thing.

Anyway Wally was driving down Hyde Road, McAvoy in the passenger seat (Left hand drive car) when Wally cut somebody up accidentally. At the traffic lights this massive fellow,mid thirties jumped out of his car and ran over to the "Drivers side" where the aging McAvoy was sat, (wheel-chair bound and in the worst of Health) ranting and raving and trying to open the door handles. Jock calmly wound the window down, as if to speak to the man and suddenly threw a huge left hook that crashed on the young mans chin, absolutely flattening him on the side of the kerb. Wally them swiftly drove away as fast as he could.

I was told this story every week for years when Wally came in to see me. He himself was a former Lightweight ABA Champ in the 50's.

Great story from the past and it always interests me to hear more of this man.

[Jon Saxon]

I have heard stories about this fella from my Grandad and somebody I used to work with. Seemed a right character and also a mean bastard when he wanted to be.

I read the book by Brian Hughes and thought it a brilliant read.

There is also another book out there published years ago but I cant find it anywhere, does anybody know of or own a cope and would you be willing to sell/trade.


Also if anybody has any stories of him they would be much appreciated.

He sounds like someone from The Broons or Oor Wullie.

[bobmee]

Rob, good story, thanks. Fits in with the stories of what sort of a man he was in his latter years. Hope you find the book.

[J]

pleasure perhaps pm Jim Glen also he may have some info for you...he loves to talk about that era and why not.

[Bladder]

I have heard stories about this fella from my Grandad and somebody I used to work with. Seemed a right character and also a mean bastard when he wanted to be.

I read the book by Brian Hughes and thought it a brilliant read.

There is also another book out there published years ago but I cant find it anywhere, does anybody know of or own a cope and would you be willing to sell/trade.

Also if anybody has any stories of him they would be much appreciated.

Have a look here for Doughty's biography on Jock McAvoy:

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Searc ... hunderbolt

[rob h]

Thats brillaint thanks for the info fellas

[jimglen]

"the Rochdale Thunderbolt" is THEE most superior book on McAvoy - it isn't a little fantastic like Hughes is, so one sided! Doughty's book is far more level headed, realistic and just better!

Gilroy was here! isn't just a boxing book, but rather a great human interest story... full of period visuality, British Wartime history, and the Glasgow scene as well, with Gilroy's family and players - the famous Boxing Booths and plenty on McAvoy and other British greats!

both among the best boxing books you'll ever read!!!

[johnnykayo]

try amazon for "the rochdale thunderbolt " or e-bay, cracking read tho,what a character !!!

[King Tubby]

I've read the Hughes one, good book. That must have been some punch from a seated position in a car.

[rob h]

Got it now lads. Seems to give a great insight so far into Boxers such as Harold Ratchford, The Oveys and Phil Milligan.

Great book.

[bennie]

He went 15 rounds with John Henry Lewis in the States, which is a bit like Alan Minter going 15 rounds with Mike Spinks.

[rob h]

Theres also some training footage of him on Youtube. Cant find too many fights though.

I also heard of a story of him having a scrap with a gypsy in West Gorton. I guessed it must of been Big Just but only heard it from one source.

Sounds like a tough man.

A 1930's/40s Michael Gomez