Big Daddy Versus Giant Haystacks cover art

Big Daddy Versus Giant Haystacks

A Super Heavyweight Story

Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

$8.99/mo after trial ends. Cancel anytime
Try for $0.00
More purchase options

Big Daddy Versus Giant Haystacks

By: Steven Bell
Narrated by: Steven Bell
Try for $0.00

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.79

Buy Now for $27.79

About this listen

The incredible story of two wrestling legends who defined the sport in Britain in its glorious heyday. Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks is a rags-to-riches tale of unlikely fame, family loyalty, tragic death and a uniquely British pop culture phenomenon.

From the acclaimed author of Dynamite & Davey: The Explosive Lives of the British Bulldogs.

As the 1970s began, Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy) was a semi-retired wrestler, aged 40; the younger Martin Ruane (Giant Haystacks), a down-on-his-luck father of three. Both were living in poverty, scratching out a living in the murky underworld of northern England as nightclub doormen. A decade later, they were two of the most famous faces in Britain, with record-breaking millions tuning in to watch them clash at Wembley. But the glory wouldn’t last forever.

Perfect for all wrestling fans, this engrossing audiobook:

  • Takes you on a riveting narrative-nonfiction roller-coaster ride through one of British pop culture’s most unlikely success stories
  • Features exclusive insights from key figures of the era – including wrestlers Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, former British heavyweight champion Tony St. Clair and ‘Superstar’ Mal Sanders, plus promoters and historians
  • Traces the rags-to-riches lives of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks – real-life giants Shirley Crabtree and Martin Ruane
  • Charts the rise of British wrestling as a national obsession, drawing millions of viewers each week
  • Is packed with nostalgia and enhanced by a stunning photo section

This compelling audiobook will whisk those who were there straight back to the era of big-time British wrestling – and give those who weren’t a tantalising taste of what they missed.

©2026 Steven Bell (P)2026 Steven Bell
Combat Sports & Self-Defense Sports Sports History Wrestling
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.