United met by 750,000 fans

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 34

United met by 750,000 fans

NZPA London Mass hysteria swept Manchester on Sunday as an estimated crowd of up to 750,000 people turned out to welcome home the Manchester United soccer team after its FA. Cup triumph. Fifteen people were taken to hospital and ambulance officials treated about 1000 casualties. Injuries included broken legs or ribs, exhaustion, and sunstroke. A young girl was reported to have suspected kidney damage. The majority of casualties happened when about 20,000 banner-wav-ing Manchester fans — known as the Red Army — crowded outside the city’s town hall, the venue of a civic reception for the team. The city’s Chief Constable, James Anderton, at one stage Jumped from the official podium and began

dragging people who had collapsed from the crowd. The situation was worsened by the temperature — Manchester had its hottest day of the year on Sunday, with the temperature at 21 deg C. At one stage barriers facing the Town Hall steps began to bulge but extra iron supports were hammered against the railings. The reception clearly surprised United’s manager, Mr Tommy Docherty. However he said: “I don’t think the fans would want it any other way.” An ambulance chief described the scene as “a red and white sauna”. However the reception could be the last of its kind. A Labour M.P, Mr Kenneth Mark, said he would be raising the matter of football receptions with the Minister for Sport, Mr Denis Howell.