RAZORS AND BOTTLES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 December 1927, Page 8

RAZORS AND BOTTLES.

GLASGOW FOOTBALL ROWDIES IN CONFLICT. EXTRAORDINARY SCENES. The Mount Florida district of Glasgow was the centre of an alarming disturbance, which developed among rival gangs of football supporters at the close of the Glasgow Cup final between afternoon (October 8). Although the match itself was a clean and sporting one, partisan feeling ran high amongst certain sections of the spectators, and when the crowd, estimated at 84,000, were dispersing, several members of opposite camps fell foul of one another. Blows were exchanged, and the fight was taken up by other gangsters. Stones and bottles were, freely used, and razors were brandished, and the disturbance became so alarming that thousands of spectators stampeded for safety. In the rush to get clear of the fray, women with their children, out shopping, were unceremoniously brushed aside, and they as well as many of the spectators were' glad W seek shelter in shops and closes. The open doors of many private houses also afforded refuge, while some young men even clambered on to the roofs oi the tenement houses. Some of the shops in the vicinity accommodated as many as thirty persons, and the shopkeepers had to close their doors. At the premises of a fishmonger five men actually scrambled through the open window, trampling on the contents in their excitement, while several boxes; of eggs were destroyed at the door, of the premises. The running fights continued until the appearance of policemen, , mounted and on, foot, whereupon the contestants took to flight. A sequel was heard on the Monday morning in the Police Court, Queen’s Park, Glasgow, when David Watson (18), a warehouse porter, residing in Hunter Street, was charged with breach

of the peace. The magistrate found the charge proved and fined Watson two' guineas, the alternative qf twenty days’ imprisonment, and remarked that the rival club’s supporters should be able to take a heating just us well as a victory. A well-dressed young man named John Smith was convicted, on evidence, of using obscene language in Liangside Road, C'rosshill, on Saturday. The magistrate imposed a penalty of one guinea with the alternative' of ten days’ imprisonment. . MORE! ROWDIES. As a sequel to a. serious disturbance; which occurred, in Glasgow Green a few minutes after two rival gangs—t2ie “Norman Conquerors” and the “Savoy

Boys” commenced, to play football, 1 eleven men appeared before Sheriff I Macdiarmid in Glasgow charged with a ! breach of the peace. From the evidence! it appeared that one of the players was tripped by an opponent, and following conferences between the team® as to whether the game should proceed or a free fight take place, the supporters of one of the teams began attacking with bottles. After hearing evidence, the Sheriff found the accused all; guilty. In the ease of a youth of 16 years he imposed a, fine of £5; another man lie fined £2, and the other nine accused lie sent to prison each for sixty days, with hard labour as a warning to others. His Lordship said it was absolutely intolerable in a. city .like Glasgow that young men should he allowed to go' about in I that way, throwing bottles and using }knives and other cowardly weapons. Tliat sort of thing that was coming to Scotland was perfectly horrible and sinister. and he intended to make an example of the accused.