John Gully
One of Britain’s most remarkable sporting figures, John Gully, was born in Wick in 1783, at what is now the Rose & Crown Inn.
After inheriting his father’s butcher’s business in Bath, Gully fell into debt and was imprisoned. It seemed his future was over before it had really begun, but fate had other ideas.
While in prison, Gully’s boxing talent came to the attention of England’s champion prize fighter, Henry Pearce, who was nicknamed “the Game Chicken”. An informal match was arranged between them, which took place in the prison; as a result, Gully’s debts were settled.
Before long, Gully was competing in bare-knuckle contests that attracted huge crowds, eventually becoming Champion of England.
Gully became the landlord of the Plough Tavern in Carey Street, London. He retired from the ring in 1808, and embarked on a successful career as a racehorse owner and bookmaker. He won some of Britain’s biggest horse races; amassed a considerable fortune, and even served as a Member of Parliament between 1832 and 1837.
From a village near Kingswood to the boxing ring, the racecourse and the Houses of Parliament, John Gully’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. He was even included as a character in Royal Flash, one of George MacDonald Fraser’s The Flashman Papers series of books, and was played by Henry Cooper in the 1975 film version.
Photo credits: Portrait by Samuel Drummond, National Portrait Gallery; Arthur Shepperd (British/American, 1875–1957), John Gully vs. Henry Pierce, 1807, oil on canvas, 31 3/4 x 39 1/2 inches, Private Collection