The game was invented by four drinkers in Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn in Wetton, Staffordshire in 1974, who was bemoaning the fact that the United Kingdom struggled to produce any world champions. Logically, if a new sport was invented that no one else knew about, the country could boast a champion at last. Having tried "ear wrestling" and "push of war" (with a scaffolding pole), Pete Cheetham, Eddie Stansfield, Pete Dean, and Mick Dawson created toe wrestling. A rule board was produced by the signwriters at the Yorkshire Evening Post. (Mick's girlfriend, Angie Edward, had a father who was the editor.) A small trophy was made and engraved.