MORE SEATING

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1935, Page 26

MORE SEATING

CROWDS AT FOOTBALL

ENGLAND-SCOTLAND

INTEREST

RECENT EXPERIENCE

Association football to Britain is what Rugby football is to New Zealand in popularity, and in Glasgow and London the accommodation is not equal to taking the would-be crowds at special fixtures. What the football caterers in these centres are now aiming at is a ground capable of accommodating 200,000 spectators. The Scottish Soccer team have been almost invincible at home for several years, and they have added another victory over England to their list of triumphs. They scored the only two goals of the match, both being headed from corners by Duncan, the outside left, who is a member of the Derby County team, and their success was fully merited, but they did not play in traditional style. In fact, both teams fell far below the international standard, and it was a most disappointing match, with few thrills to excite the huge crowd of 130,000 people, writes the London correspondent of the "Auckland Star." The match with England is always one of Scotland's festival days. People travelled through the night from all parts of the country, and as early as 6 o'clock in the morning the streets of Glasgow were filled by singing crowds. Could Hampden Park accommodate them? Although two years ago 136,000 spectators were admitted, it was decided on this occasion to close the gates when 130,000 had passed through. The full quota was reached an hour before the kick-off, and when the doors were bolted and protected by police patrols there were as many as 50,000 shut out. The scenes which followed were alarming. One gate was torn off its hinges, and hundreds of people struggled into the ground before the police could regain control. Inside, the crush was severe, and the ambulance men had to deal with many who collapsed and had to be carried away on stretchers. TOTALLY INADEQUATE. How to deal with spectators is the big problem which besets football. Hampden Park, where the match was played, is the biggest ground in the world, but the accommodation which it affords is today totally inadequate. Indeed, the Scottish authorities have quickly decided that, when the match is next played in Glasgow two years hence, they must have a ground which will hold 200,000 people. Whether Hamßden Park can be extended to hold this number is doubtful, but Glasgow Rangers have prepared plans to increase the capacity of Ibrox Park very considerably. There is no ground in England which holds 100,000 spectators. Wembley Stadium is the largest, its capacity being 92,000, and, by restricting admission to tickeMiolders, this number is never exceeded. But Aston Villa's enclosure may be enlarged to accommodate 130,000, and improvements are also, .contemplated by the Arsenal and Manchester City. . TWO REFEREES. The most important change in Association football-since the alteration of the off-side rule is under serious, consideration. This is the introduction of a second referee to be assisted by the usual two linesmen in the control of League matches. There have been, two experiments, arid, although there is a good deal of prejudice against the change, they have been highly satisfactory, and the management committee of the League has decided to recommend the clubs'to adopt the system. For many years there have been two referees in hockey, and it is suggested that the same method of control should be borrowed for football. Each referee is in charge of half the field, and the effect of this arrangement is that their duties and responsibilities are reduced by 50 per cent. Under these conditions their wprk not only becomes much easier, but they are able to keep close up with the play, and are not so likely to give false decisions. Owing to the way' in which play has been quickened since the off-side rule was altered,' it is felt that the game has passed .beyond the control of one referee. He may be concentrating on an attack on one goal, when in two or three kicks the other is swiftly assailed. In these circumstances he is bound to be caught' out ,of position and unable to give a,decision with certainty. Sudden changes in the run of the ball of this description are common, and it is felt that they put the official in charge in an unfair position. Hence the demand for a .new system, and I think it will be sanctioned as an experiment to be carried out next season. The final decision will, rest with the International Board, and I do not think that the representatives of ■ Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, are at the moment in favour of the change, but it is not likely that they will debar the English clubs from trying it out.