A CUP FINAL

Southland Times, Issue 18928, 30 April 1923, Page 5

A CUP FINAL

SENSATIONAL GAMES HUGE CROWD TAKES CHARGE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 28. (Received April 29, 5.5 p.m.) One of the most sensational scenes in the history of the Cup Final was witnessed at Wemblyn. Thousands of people broke through the gates, jumped the rails and swarmed over the pitch, until the whole green was covered. It was impossible to commence the game on time. Mounted police were summoned to the ground to aid the helpless foot police, who were overwhelmed by huge mobs. At three o’clock forty thousand people were unable to gain admission. Thirty thousand broke in with- > out paying. The first indication of the trouble was when the turnstiles closed at two o’clock. The crowd forced its way through the main staff entrances. Simultaneously those inside leaped the rails and swarmed over the pitch. The ground was soon covered by twenty thousand people. The police gallantly endeavoured to restore order. Once the situation was so alarming that bolstered revolvers were handed round the police. Mobs rushed pell mell all over the ground and pandemonium reigned. 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 three and was greeted with a deafening roar and an amazing outburst of patriotism, the crowd of 200,000 singing the National Anthem. Then large bodies of mounted men rode on to the ground and the crowd was gradually forced off. It is estimated that two ( hundred cases were attended by the ambulance men. Van ambulances were requisitioned to handle the injured and stretchers were continually being carried off the playing field. At ten minutes past three the teams took the field in an endeavour to persuade the crowd to withdraw, but it not until 3.40 was the ground sufficiently cleared to allow the game to commence. Ten minutes later it had to be stopped for twelve minutes owing to more rushes of people still breaking in at the gates. An official statement by the Controllers’ Office says that the turnstiles closed after 60,000 had passed. Although there is standing room for 90,000 it is estimated that 30,000 with tickets were unable to enter and that 200,000 people were on the ground altogether. LONDON, April 28. (Received April 29, 5.5 p.m.) In the Cup Final Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham United by two to nil LATER DETAILS BY-CASUALTY LIST LONDON, April 28. (Received April 29, 11.5 p.m.) The first aid dealt with 1000 cases. Sixty cases of broken legs and serious eye injuries were sent to hospital A number of women were badly crushed against the railings and one is unlikely to recover. The stadium authorities’ explanation is that an inspection was made at 1.30 when the standing accommodation was found nearly full, so orders were given to close all gates. Thousands continued to arrive and mass round the entrances. Police reinforcements were summoned. The crowd broke through the barriers at 2.50 and from then until the King’s arrival it is estimated that 100,000 got through without payment. The total who paid or broke the barriers is estimated to exceel 200,000. Mr Wall, secretary of the Football Association, assures the public that the arrangements were not in the Association’s hands and he will not accept responsibility.