From yesterday's riot with Leeds leading the charge, today's punch up occurred between Glasgow rivals on April 18th 1909 and was reported on the 19th in the Glasgow News. The pictures are drawn from that report, following the drawn FA Cup Final replay between Celtic and Rangers.The first tie attracted 70,000 to Hampden Park and they all saw an exciting 2-2 draw.
The replay at Hampden attracted 61,000 and at the end of 90 minutes it was 1-1. Neither team were sure of what should happen next. Celtic wanted an extra 30 minutes, but the Scottish FA had not counted on that. Rangers didn't fancy extra time, although the Daily Record and Mail newspapers had published that there would be.
Apparently a number of drawn ties in the competition were viewed suspiciously as a "way of raising money". An official walked towards a corner flag and took it out of its slot; this agitated the crowd, who invaded the pitch. Thousands flooded the playing area, as the crowd set fire to the wooden goal posts, nets, pay boxes and so on. 8 fire engines were called and nearly 100 police were supported by another 100 coppers as soon as the skirmish accelerated.
For three hours, the groups confronted each other, hosepipes were slashed (with knives? who carries a knife to football?), 81 policemen were hospitalised, six with serious injuries and only 3 arrests were made. No account of wounded fans!
No third match was arranged and no trophy won! The press blamed everyone except the FA!
Poor refereeing (apparently), sectarianism and overcrowding were given as reasons for the flare up.
Riots existed in other parts of the country; windows were smashed at Goodison after a referee had abandoned a match and in 1905 angry Villa supporters, at their home ground, stoned the Manchester City coach as it left after a feisty game.
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