ENGLISH CUP FINAL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 101, 30 April 1923, Page 4

ENGLISH CUP FINAL

CROWD TAKES CHARGE OF GROUND

BUT GIVES THE KING OVATION,

(ENItBD' TRESS ASSOCIATION!—COPWI3HT.)

(AUSTRALIAN . NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

.■ , LONDON, 28th April. In the* Cup finat, Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham United by 2 goals to nil. ■

One of the most sensational scenes in the history of the Cup final was witnessed at Wembley Park. A thousand people broke through the gates, jumped the rails, and swarmed over the pitch until the whole green was covered. It was impossible to commence {he game on time. Mounted police were summoned to the ground to aid the helpless foot police, who were overwhelmed by a huge mob. At 3 o'clock 40,000 people were unable to gain admission. Thirty thousand more, then broke in without paying. The first indication of trouble was when the turnstiles closed at 2 o'clock, when {he crowd forced through the main staff entrance, and simultaneously those inside leaped the rails, and swarmed over the playing area so that the ground was soon covered by 20,000 people. The police gallantly endeavoured to restore order. Once the situation was so alarming that holstered revolvers were handed round to the police. Pandemonium reigned, and scores of women and girls fainted. Finally the police were compelled to give up the unequal struggle. The crowd thereupon took charge. The King arrived- at 3 o'clock, and was greeted with a. deafening roar and an amazing outburst of patriotism, the crowd of 200,000 singing the National Anthem. When large bodies of mounted men rode on to the ground the crowd was gradually forced off. It is estimated that 200 cases were. attended by ambulance men. Many ambulances were requisitioned to handle the injured, and stretchers were continually being carried off the playing field.

At 3.10 p.m. the teams took the field, and endeavoured to persuade the crowd to withdraw, but not until 3.40 \va3 the ground sufficiently cleared to allow tho game to commence. Ten minutes later it had to be stopped for twelve minutas owing to being rushed, people still breaking in at the gates. An official statement by the controllers' office says that the turnstiles closed after 60,000 people had pased through, although there is standing room for 90,000. It is estimated that 30,000 with tickets were unable to enter, and that 200,000 were later on the ground altogether. First aid dealt with one thousand cases. There were a number of broken legs and serious eye injuries. Sixty were aent to hospital. ' A number of women were badly crushed against the railings, and one is unlikely to rcover. The stadium authorities' explanation is that an inspection was made at 1.30 p.m., when the standing accommodation was found to be nearly full, so orders were given to close all the gates. Thousands continued to arrive, and there "was a mass round the entrances. Police reinforcements were summoned. The crowd broke through the barriers at 2.15 p.m., and from then until the King's arrival it is estimated that. 100,000 got through without payment. The total number who paid or broke the barriers is estimated to exceed 200,000.

Mr. Wall, secretary of the Football Association, assures l.he public that ar-

rangements were not in their hands, and he will not accept responsibility.