GROWING up watching his idols on television, a Hardgate man dreamed of entering the ring after catching the wrestling bug.

Now Euan Cuthbert is getting ready to rumble with some of Scotland’s biggest and meanest wrestling stars in his home town of Clydebank.

Euan, who fights under the name Aaron Echo, will be joined by high-profile grapplers like Grado and Jack Jester at the Back to School charity wrestling night at Our Holy Redeemer (OHR) Primary in Whitecrook on September 19.

The 24-year-old, who weighs in at six foot three and 216 pounds, told the Post: “I’m really looking forward to it. This is me getting to live the dream in the town that I grew up in.

“Hopefully family and friends will turn out to support me for what should be a great night.” With long-held ambitions to become a wrestler, Euan took the plunge a couple of years ago — and has not looked back.

The former Clydebank High and Goldenhill Primary pupil said: “I was always telling my mum and dad I wanted to be a professional wrestler.

“When I was 22, I decided it was now or never. I am really going for it and hopefully can make it a full-time career one day.” Enrolling at the Premier British Wrestling training academy in Barrhead, Euan underwent a gruelling programme in a bid to help him hone his skills before making his debut last May.

It has been a journey which was far from easy, as he explained. “You need to be so fit, it’s hard work.

“People often accuse wrestling of being a fake sport but if they tried doing what we have to do, they would think differently.” Organised by the school’s parents forum and promoters Premier British Wrestling (PBW), the event at OHR Primary is being held to raise funds to help replenish outdated play equipment at the school.

Colin Pryde, chairman of OHR parents forum, told the Post he got the idea to stage a wrestling night after going to see previous PBW events.

Mr Pryde said: “I thought the PBW shows were terrific so sent a message to see if we would be able to get them along.

“They agreed and it means we are bringing some top wrestling stars to Clydebank in what should be a great night.

“The school is doing a lot of outdoor education work so pupils need to be given the best possible opportunity to make the most of that.

“A lot of the outdoor play equipment has become broken over time so it will make a big difference to be able to replenish that.” Joining Euan (Aaron Echo) on the bill for the PBW show are stars like Grado, Jack Jester and Kay Lee Ray.

Ross Watson, owner and promoter at PBW, said: “I can’t wait to bring our show to Whitecrook.

“We have done events nearby in places like Dumbarton but we’ve never been to Clydebank. There’s a good following there so it will be great for the fans to have PBW on their doorstep.

“Our events are completely aimed at the family market and there’s something for everyone.

“Younger fans enjoy cheering for the good guys and booing the baddie while old-school wrestling fans will see a high-quality product on offer. It should be a great night.” Doors for the Back to School event at The Stand, OHR Primary, open at 7pm. The show begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the event cost £5. Pupils will have first refusal before tickets go on sale to members of the public on September 1.

Anyone looking for more information about PBW can like its page on Facebook or follow @pbwwrestling on Twitter.