Do you refer to Frank Johnson from Manchester, UK who boxed in the fifties and won the British Lightweight title in 1952 & 1955 and the British Empire Lightweight Title in 1953? Frank also boxed Peter Waterman for the British welterweight title in 1956.

I was a next door neighbour of Frank, and I believe he moved to Wythenshaw. He worked on the door at the "Princess Theatre Club" for a while. I do not know if it's true, but I heard that he had died.

Yes, I'm afraid Frank (my father) died in a tragic accident aged 41 in 1970. He did work at the "Prinny" and we did live in Wythenshawe, then moved to Brooklands. I was born at our house in Brunt Street, Rusholme in 1952. My mum (Joyce) is still alive and well - maybe she would remember you - I am sure she would?
Best regards,
Steve.

Hi Steve, No I don't remember your mum, or you unfortunatly. I lived in Albany road Chorlton, and your dad lived in Warwick Road. As it was a corner house it was next to mine. There were other boxers living, and training there. Bobby Raglan, Jimmy MacGinty, Jackie Braddock. Iam not sure if they all lived there or just trained there. I seem to remember the man who owned, or rented the house Jack Williamson.??? do any of these names mean anything?? I was quite friendly with your dad, as neighbours. He was a hero of mine. I used to watch him training. This was early 50s, Then years later I used to see him at the Princess club. I moved from Manchester in 1964. I heard through friends that he had passed away, and I was very upset. He was'nt like other fighters. He always had time for people, and would always, stop and chat. My e-mail is stringerg@hotmail.co.uk If you feel like a chat give us a click. Regards to you and your mum, and family. Take care. Geoff Stringer.

Hi Steve, I too am a relative of Frank Johnson. My father Alan Williamson from Fallowfield was his cousin. By chance I bumped in to the partner of Jackie Braddock when he was just about to travel to Lourdes.Jackie looked just like his other Cousin Frank. Strange that we all ended up in Wythenshawe. Regards to your mum. Is Jackie still alive as he was very poorly when I met him.
kind regards

Alan

Yes sadly Jack died a few years ago as well Alan.
There is a website with lots of interesting pics of Frank and Jack at http://frankjohnson.9k.com it is not on Google so type it in your pc address bar at the top and click on the "go" arrow.
Best regards,

Steve.

Hi again Alan,

So your father was related to mine? Thats interesting and how is the connection made?

Best regards,

Steve Williamson.

Hi Steve

my family are originally from fallowfield. My Grandad had a garage with your grandad or so i believe. My dad is one of four Williamson's. Mona, Irene, Frank and Alan. Alan is my father and cousin to your dad. The two grandads had a big arguement and the family split so my dad didn't really get to know his cousins very well. I met Jackie completely by chance. His passport had been lost and i delivered it to his house in Longsight. He was very poorly and in a wheelchair. His partner brought out a photo of your dad to show me. It was a great thrill to see it. You must be very proud of his record.

Steve
went to your website and I was gobsmacked. It's absolutely brilliant mate. Some fantastic info on your dad and the pics are stunning.
Did you know the Trainors? I was brought up with them in Woodhouse Park. Pam Trainor lives next door to my dad, how bizarre is that? I was good mates with Pip and knew John pretty well. He took after his dad Owen and was a good ABA fighter. I see you were a pretty good ABA fighter yourself. Did you ever turn pro.

So good to chat with you. Regards to your mum.

Alan Williamson

Hi again Alan,

I'm glad you enjoyed the website/ photos of Dad - it is all taken from various newspaper cuttings and albums.
I have heard of the Trainors of course - I never met Owen although I remember my Dad used to say he was a brilliant boxer - I think we both actually once won the same ABA Junior National Title according to the ABA record book albeit different years! I have met John and did in fact see him box quite a few times - top class fighter of the same style that my Dad taught me.

Best regards,

Steve

p.s. my e-mail address is s.williamson743@btinternet.com

Hi,I remember your dad very well,I worked at shell chemicals in the 50,s at carrington,and your dad did a spell of contract work as a steel-erector there,it was at the time when he fought joe lucy for the title, he was a true gentleman and we had meny a good natter about boxing, it was a pleasure knowing him. regards, Norman..

Hi Norman,

It is nice to hear from any friend of Dad's - i hope you are well and life is good!

Did you get a look at the website?

http://frankjohnson.9k.com

Remember it is not on Google so you have to type the address into your pc address bar then click the "go" arrow - there are lots of newspaper cuttings and pictures as well.

Best regards,

Steve.

Hi Steve

I was always a big fan and follower of you Dad's career. I saw him win the lightweight title from Terry McGovern at Belle Vue, and also beat Johnny Butterworth there in 1954. Your Dad was a brilliant boxer and with a bit of luck could have been a World Champion. Your website is great by the way. I met your Dad in the early sixties at the Sale Theatre Club (the old Sale Locarno), where he was on the door. He was a charming man and always very friendly. Big Frank Bell, who knocked out Tommy Farr in the 50's was also a doorman there. How did your Dad die Steve? I seem to remember it was a tragic accident in his garden. I cannot find anything about this on the Web.

Best Regards

John

Hi John,

It is nice to hear from you - I hope you are well. I think that club in Sale was called the Carina Star Club? Yes, I remember Frank Bell as well, Dad also worked with him at the Stamford Hall in Altrincham.
Dad died in a tragic accident in 1970 when he was electrocuted using a faulty hedge trimmer.

Best regards,

Steve.

Hi again Steve

Thanks for you good wishes which are returned.

If there had been a light-welter weight class (140lb) in your Dad's day, this would have been perfect for him. He was always a bit big to be a comfortable lightweight and just a little too short to be a full welterwweight. I was a regular at the Sale club and always enjoyed a chat with him, as he knew I was a fan of his. His face was quite unmarked, which was a tribute to his wonderful defensive skills. He was a true gentleman and a good conversationalist. I saw Peter Waterman interviewed on the tele some years after his retirement from the ring and his speech and thought processes seem to have been badly affected by his ring career. I have an idea he died quite young but I am not sure of this. The Boxing website does not mention anything about him having died. His brother Denis is of course still going strong on the tele.

I knew the Stamford Hall well but I never visited whilst your Dad and Frank Bell were there.

Best Regards

John

Hi Steve,

I have been on to your webb site about your dad which is very interesting.I have been researching your uncle Jackie Braddock and wonder if you or any other member of your family could help me.I am trying to find out if Jackie had any children.

regards
sue

Hi, I knew Frank Bell back in the early 1960s but lost touch. Do you have any photos or history? He was a great guy and I would dearly love to know what happened to him. Regards. Mike c

Hi Mike

Sorry, but I have no further information of Frank Bell. He fought a lot of the leading British heavyweights of his day. His last fight was in 1956. If you log on to boxrec.com you will find his full records there. If he is still alive he would be 83 years of age now. Hope this helps. I seem to remember he was a schoolteacher.

Regards

John

Hi Steve

Your Dad was my husbands (Tommy Wood)manager and they trained at marchants gym in salford. Tommy would like to be remembered to your Mum Joyce. Tommy now has a boxing gym in Stalybridge (Tommy woods boxing academy), he received a text from someone today asking if he was the Tommy Wood who trained with Frankie Johnson and consequently he has asked me to look on the website. He would love to get a reply from you too. Take care

Regards
Jennie

Hi Jennie,

Yes, I sent the text, I found the number in the boxing club reference on the internet - and I spoke to Tommy on the phone last night - it was great to hear from him - I remember him coming to our house in Wythenshawe to meet Dad before his pro fights - It is great to hear about the boxing academy as well!

If you get chance to look at the website about Dad, the web address is:-

http://frankjohnson.9k.com

Since it is not on Google, you will have to type the address in the PC address bar (the box at the top of the PC window that usually begins with http://) and then click on the refresh (double arrows) button. There are several pages of newspaper write-ups and boxing photos - if you click on the photos they will also enlarge.

Great to hear from you both,

Best regards,

Steve.

Hi Steve,

I have sent a e-mail to the one you left on this site s.williamson743@btinternet.com hope this a up to date one, if not could you e-mail me on suegleave@tiscali.co.uk i would like some more info off you.
thank you
regards
sue

Hi Geoff,

Bobby Raglan was my Grandad and a very good friend and sparing partner of Frank.
It is very interesting to see you knew them all. Did you know my Grandad well?

Andy Raglan

Steve,

Andy here, Garry's son. Great website!!

Saw the DVD of my Grandad you dropped off not too long ago. Do you have any more photos / videos of him?

I have grown up hearing the stories of your Dad and my
Grandad and with out doubt you could write a best seller on their lives.

Hope you get the email and would be great to hear from you.

Andy Raglan

Hi Andy,

Nice to hear from you - I'm glad you liked the DVD of Bob - I just found it while trawling through old cine films I took years ago... I'm not sure if I have any more footage of your Grandad but If I come across any I shall certainly let you know. I might have some still photos of him so if you let me know your e-mail address I shall send any that I find. Bob was a true superstar and a lovely bloke - they dont make 'em like that anymore.

Best regards,

Steve.

Just a quick note - I have changed my e-mail address now to
steveystar@hotmail.co.uk
Best Regards,
Steve.

Hi.

Did your Dad ever box with my Dad=Colin/Joe Woodhouse?

Hi there, I personally do not know/ recollect the name but it is quite possible that he might have... I would be too young to remember most of Dad's boxing associates... where did your Dad box and what weight etc??
Regards,
Steve.

There is a boxing news article on Frank Johnson at:-

http://www.britishboxers.co.uk/2011/02/master-craftsman-frank-johnson-british.html

There is also a great book and e-book on Frank Johnson at this link...

http://store.blurb.co.uk/ebooks/376430-the-master-craftsman