Kitabı oku: «Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches», sayfa 12

XI. – THE FINAL TIE FOR THE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP – 1889-90

TWO MEMORABLE MATCHES

A couple of matches had to played before the final tie for the Association Challenge Cup was decided, and at the earnest request of numerous friends I have reproduced my articles on both games, which appeared in the Daily Mail, and trust they will be considered worthy a place in the volume. The following is the

First Match

This important contest, which had to be postponed the previous Saturday in consequence of the dense fog which enveloped the city and suburbs in semi-darkness, came off at Ibrox Park, and resulted in a draw – each side scoring a goal. Early in the forenoon the weather in every particular looked like a counterpart of the previous Saturday, and it was not till well on in the day that the Association Committee finally decided to go on with the match. Even with this short notice, combined with the fact that heavy rain came on and continued till well on in the second half, the attendance of spectators was large, about 11,000, and this is borne out by the cash lifted at the gate, some £500. Of this the Association gets a third, and the other two-thirds are equally divided between the contending teams. The proceeds of the stand, however, went to the Rangers' funds, as that club gave their ground free of charge to the Association to play off the tie. Paisley Road and Govan Road presented a scene to be remembered from two o'clock till well on for 3.30 P.M., being thronged with vehicles of every kind, from the carriage and pair, the hansom and cab, down to the modest van. Pedestrians, too, were numerous, and on the Govan Road the Vale of Clyde Tramway Company, with extra cars, reaped a good harvest. On the way down, and in the field itself, the usual good-natured banter was largely indulged in, and as football enthusiasts, like the rest of impatient spectators, are only human, they were in better temper at the start of the contest than was the case at the finish. The meeting of the Queen's Park and Vale of Leven, in fact, revived old times among the once brilliant players of both clubs, many of whom were present on Saturday to "fight their battles o'er again." "Dae ye ken," said an old man as the game proceeded, "I wis present at old Hampden Park on the wet Hogmanay afternoon long ago, when the Vale licked the Queen's by two to one in a Cup tie, and I wish'd ye'd a' seen the Queen's Park committee men and their supporters that day when the bare fac' wis kent. I'm thinkin' they didna craw sae crouse, and maybe they'll get a fricht the noo." When the Vale scored their goal a wag, primed with a fair-sized pocket pistol, no doubt containing the best – well, every public-house salesman will tell you at anyrate, it is the "best," and charge for it, too, as "special" – began to lilt a verse of the popular pantomime song, "Their funeral's to-morrow," hinting heavily about the decline and fall of the Queen's Park. Many saw the point, and laughed; while others gave the jolly fellow a look that betokened contempt and dismay. "Wait till the second half," said a quiet supporter of the senior club, "and ye'll see what they can dae; they're only making some fun." In pressing forward, leaning against the pailings, were not a few critical rivet boys and iron-workers, whose running comments were amusing in the extreme. Of some young fellows who came down from the city dressed up in style, one of the "black squad" was heard to say, "Don't they look blooming 'swells,' with their gloves and G.O.M. collars, and you wid think that the whole landed property about is theirs, even to Ibrox Park itself. Crush up, Bob. We've paid our money as well as the lot, and must get share of the view. Crush up." "Man, jock, they've got a new ile for training and rubbin' up the fitballers noo. It's whit they ca' herbuline, and it keeps out the cauld and warms ye unca' much; but the smell's sae strong that it nearly blin's ye." No doubt some kind of specific was required on such a trying day as Saturday, for it was indeed a clear case of illustrating the old adage, when exclusively applied to man, about the survival of the fittest. There is this about Ibrox Park, however, which certainly recommends it to the impartial spectator – fine even turf, without a flaw, and no advantage even to the home club itself when playing matches. It is well sheltered, and the arrangements for the big crowd were ample, and well carried out by the Rangers' committee and the Scottish Football Association, for whom Mr John M'Dowall, the secretary, acted with much credit. The Govan policemen (at least most of them) love a good game at football as dearly as the old Highland landlady lo'ed a lord, and what is more, their respected chief shows them a good example, as he is generally to be found at Ibrox Park, in company with other burgh officials, when there is a good thing on. The early editions of the evening papers were largely in request, not by any means for the purpose of reading, as all attention was directed to the game, and in the anxiety to see the players before the contest began, but for the sole purpose of being "sat on." The supply was soon exhausted, and one speculative newsboy, taking in the situation at a glance, disappeared for a short time, but came up smiling towards the grand stand ten minutes afterwards with a bundle of brown paper wrappers, which he disposed of like penny pies at twopence per sheet. The judges of the game had very difficult duties to perform, and to their credit be it said they did the work without fear or favour, and we are quite certain gave general satisfaction to the players. The spectators, however, treated the unfavourable conditions of the atmosphere with indifference, and even contempt, and long before the time announced for the kick-off they crowded around the pailing and surroundings to get a good view of the game. In consequence of the wet weather very few ladies were present compared with what has turned out at previous finals. The Vale of Leven emerged from the pavilion first, and were well received. A few minutes afterwards came the Queen's Park, who were also loudly cheered with cries of "Good old Q.P." The toss between the two captains was watched with much earnestness, and when the Leven team ranged themselves in front of the ball from the gate end, it became apparent that they had won. The Queen's Park, by Hamilton, kicked off against the wind, and a short run by Berry was successful in sending the ball so near the Vale of Leven goal that one of the strangers put it behind, and gave the Queen's Park a corner-flag kick. This was followed by a close scrimmage, in which the ball came near Whitelaw, who sent it down the field. A "foul," however, by Paton gave the Queen's Park a lift, and in a second scrimmage the ball was again put behind the lines. Another corner-flag kick was the consequence, and it took the Queen's Park well in on goal, where the tackling was very severe. The ball again bobbed about the posts, but the Vale men showed splendid back play on the slippery ground, and sent it clear. After this Bruce and M'Millan had a good run on the left for the Vale of Leven, and the former had a shy that went past the left post. The kick out by Gillespie was followed up by a steady run on the part of Allan, Berry, and Gulliland, and the former shied wide past the right post. After the kick out, the Queen's Park kept up the pressure, and it was some time before the ball emerged from Vale of Leven territory, which it did from the foot of Rankin. Some even play ensued, and then the Vale had a run by the right forwards, and, in kicking clear, Arnott slipped a bit, and the ball, getting the upper of his boot, rolled over the lines and gave the Vale of Leven a corner-flag kick. It was taken by M'Lachlan, but he cut the distance too fine, and the ball rolled harmlessly over the bar. In turn, Gillespie's kick-out was followed by a run on the part of Sellar and Hamilton, and a "hand" by one of the Vale of Leven backs gave Smellie a chance of doing something with a free kick. It was very hard work, however, for both, and the opinion began to gain ground that the team who could keep up their stamina longest would be the winners. The ground, in fact, was a bit treacherous, and in some cases when the ball landed, after a long kick, it bounded clean over the heads of the backs, and some mis-kicks now and again occurred. Seven minutes from half-time, the Vale men made a smart spurt, and, after some clever passing, the ball was taken possession of by M'Lachlan, who jumped in and headed it between the posts – just a few inches from the right side – amid cheers and counter cheers. The teams then faced up in the centre, and, from a good start, the Queen's Park got up to their opponents' lines, and Berry just missed the goal by a foot. After this the Vale of Leven had a good run down on the Queen's Park lines, and a fast shy by Osborne was caught up and punted out by Gillespie, and another immediately afterwards, from the foot of Bruce, was cleared by Smellie. The half-time signal, however, was given, leaving the Vale of Leven one goal ahead. The strangers had now the kick-off, and made considerable use of it, for the forwards backed up well, and a slip by one of the half-backs of the Queen's Park gave the Vale of Leven a corner-flag kick. The ball was fairly managed, but Bruce, who had it at his toe, was tackled by Smellie, and sent down the field. The Queen's Park had now a brilliant turn at the Leven goal, and several hard shies at the posts were cleverly returned by the backs. The Queen's men, however, kept pressing on, and had a corner-flag kick, which was taken by Sellar, and splendidly sent out by Wilson. The play after this was straggling a bit, and falls were frequent in Vale of Leven territory, but the Queen's men were very unlucky at goal, and could not get the ball through – Gulliland, with a hard shy, only missing by a shave. The ball eventually passed the Leven lines in a scrimmage not long afterwards, and as it was put over by one of the defenders, another corner-flag kick was the consequence. Time was now wearing on, and do all they could, with hemming in their opponents and making innumerable shies at goal, the Queen's Park could not score, and a corner-flag kick did not mend matters. After this the Vale team improved very much in their forward play, and M'Lachlan and Bruce again had a fine run up the field, and as Arnott, in tackling, let the ball go over the lines, the Leven team had a corner-flag kick. The shot from the pavilion end was very well taken by one of the half-backs (M'Nicol), and the Queen's Park goal had a narrow shave, as the ball was caught by Robertson in the nick of time and cleared. The Queen's Park were soon at it again, however, and not only drove their powerful opponents off, but completely invaded their stronghold. Crowding round Allan, Berry, Gulliland, Sellar, Hamilton, and even the Queen's half-backs had shies at the Leven goal, but Wilson saved brilliantly. When time was drawing to a close the excitement became very intense, and while the friends of the Vale of Leven were jubilant and hopeful about the issue, the partisans of the senior club, who came to see their favourites conquer, were proportionately sad and crest-fallen. "They cannot do it now," said a chorus of voices well up on the stand, "but see this, boys," remarked an old football follower, as Arnott rolled up the sleeves of his jersey with a determination which gave new life to the game; and as it has been said frequently before that the Queen's Park can rise to a great occasion, assuredly they did on Ibrox Park on Saturday. One minute or so more and all would be over. Pressing their opponents very hard with shots at goal, corner-flag kicks, scrimmages almost under the goalkeeper's feet, they were again and again repulsed by grand work on the part of Wilson, and as the ball emerged out of the pack after a free kick it was sent a bit down the field towards the Queen's Park half-backs. Here Bruce, the most prominent forward of the country club, got possession, and was about to beat Stewart, when Arnott and Smellie came to the rescue, and the ball was immediately sent back to the Vale goal, where, after a terrible scrimmage, from a "free kick," it was put between the posts by Smellie. The vision of a glorious victory for the Q.P. had by that time faded away like a dream, and a crowd of the senior club's followers had actually left Ibrox Park in disgust, when a tremendous cheer burst forth from the ground signalling a point for the Queen's Park, who had "turned" the doubtful day again. The scene which followed was truly exciting. The Q.P. followers gave vent to their strained feelings with an outburst of cheering which must have been heard in some of the neighbouring police burghs, including Partick on the other side of the river, while those of the Vale kept quiet in disappointment. The teams then began the struggle anew, and from the kick off the Vale of Leven men made a grand run up on the Queen's Park goal, and had a couple of corner-flag kicks in succession, but the Queen's Park backs sent the ball clear, and a few seconds afterwards the whistle sounded, leaving one of the most remarkable games ever played in the final tie for the Association Challenge Cup drawn, with one goal all. The following are the teams that played in both games: – Queen's Park – Goal, Gillespie; backs, Arnott and Smellie; half-backs, M'Ara, Stewart, and Robertson; forwards, Gulliland, Berry, J. Hamilton, Allan, and Sellar. Vale of Leven – Goal, Wilson; backs, Whitelaw and Murray; half-backs, Osborne, M'Nicol, and Sharp; forwards, M'Lachlan, Rankin, James Patton, Bruce, and M'Millan.

Second Match

The destiny of the Challenge Cup has at length been decided for the season, and the Queen's Park are the conquerors after one of the finest games ever seen on Ibrox Park – the victory being the narrow one of two goals to one. The game, it may be remembered, was drawn on the previous Saturday, when each side had scored a goal, and, strange as it may seem, the Queen's Park only saved themselves then, as they have done now, towards the close of the contest, and converted what looked like a defeat into a victory. Between 12,000 and 13,000 spectators were present, and as the weather was fine the match was a most enjoyable one. The cash drawn at the gate amounted to fully £600, and, as on the previous meeting, will be equally apportioned among the two clubs and the Association. The city cabbies made a day of it, and pocketed a good round sum. They handled the ribbons with a dexterity which in some cases was really alarming, and threatened the lieges with accident. "Drive us to Ibrox Park, mind, in ten minutes, or we'll be late for the kick-off," and the promise of an extra sixpence did the business, although Jehu's old friend and brother must be passed on the road. In some cases this was overdone, and a horseless machine with only one wheel might have been seen near Bellahouston Academy, awaiting "alterations and repairs," and on the same road some "spills" also occurred. The remarks round the pavilion, stand, and approaches were, as usual, both instructive and amusing, and let the impartial spectator know how the land lay, and the kind of company he was for the moment keeping. All sorts and conditions of men and boys were there to see the match. A hasty glance, in fact, revealed the astonishing fact that nearly all classes in the country were represented – city magnates, iron-masters, shipbuilders, ministers of religion, doctors, schoolmasters, clerks, mechanics of all kinds, and a much larger contingent of ladies than we have seen on any previous occasion. From the cheers and counter cheers which greeted the goal-scoring by the senior club it was apparent that their followers were in the majority, but when the young Vale of Leven got the first point, the cheers which followed showed that they had also a large number of partisans, who honestly believed in the club's ability to win the cup. In the first round, indeed, the Vale players showed much better combination all over than the Q.P., and reminded many of the Vale of yore. The second half, however, revealed the senior club at their best, and from the manner in which they acted together and kept up their staying powers, they really deserved to win. As we have already said, the gossip among the spectators was both bright and original. A demonstrative supporter of the senior club was rather personal with his remarks, and was asked by a lover of the game, but not a partisan of either club, to keep quiet "and not let everybody know he was a born fool." "Oh! yes; it's all very fine, but the band at Alexandria 'ill no play at the station yet: the Vale canna' win noo," said he, as the Queen's team put the ball through a second time. A well dressed young fellow on the stand near the press table was very funny, and if ever a man enjoyed the game it was he. In the exuberance of his joy at the Q.P. scoring, he danced on the little spot allotted to him on the stand, and in doing so nearly overbalanced himself. "Ye'll be the better o' a half yin after that narrow escape," said one of his friends, handing him a bottle. After he had swallowed a fair amount of the liquor he stole a hasty glance at the bottle, and found to his disgust he had been drinking "The Vale of Leven blend." "It's a' richt," said his country friend, "ye'll maybe need it a' yet; the Vale are not beaten the noo; the Queen's man tak' anither goal before that occurs," and so they did. "Oh! a' say," remarked a born East-Ender, for whom we are perfectly certain the Clyde and Thistle, according to his self-importance at any rate, had played their best on Barrowfield and Beechwood, "look at that; it's no' fair to gie the Vale a free kick for that; it's the auld way; gie't ta the yin that mak's the maist noise." "Yes," said another, who looked every inch a dyer from the celebrated football county of Dumbarton, and maybe the Vale of Leven district itself, "did ever ye see the likes o' that, and frae sic a swell club, tae?" as Robertson bowled over Bruce on the grass, and cleared the ball away. Wilson, the Vale of Leven goalkeeper, came in for a fair share of praise; and so did Arnott, Smellie, Sellar, Gulliland, and Gillespie for their brilliant play, but many were in ecstacy about young Wilson. "His mither 'ill be a proud woman the day when she kens how well he kept goal for the Vale; there's nae doubt about it, Wilson's the coming man between the sticks for the International on Hampden Park on 5th April next," said a red-faced man, wearing a glengarry. Old and respected members of both clubs were again present to cheer on their successors to victory, and we observed several original members of the once-famous Clydesdale, including two who took part in the first final tie for the cup on old Hampden Park. Several old Rangers were present, too, who remembered well the series of exciting matches played by them against the Vale of Leven, when no fewer than three hard battles had to be fought before the destiny of the cup was settled for the year. The sad news, too, was announced in the papers of the sudden death of another famous forward (Mr. J. R. Wilson), who took part in the first final tie between the Queen's Park and Clydesdale on behalf of the latter club. Many of the "Old Brigade" viewed the contest with mixed feelings. "You seem excited, Bob," said a friend to an old Q.P., and no wonder; time is fleeting fast; the game will be done in a quarter of an hour, and, dear me, the Queen's have not even scored. "Not at all, not at all," said the Q.P. old player, tearing at his moustache in a manner that threatened that hirsute appendage with instant annihilation, "I think they will, at anyrate, make it a draw, for see how they press the Vale now. Oh! they've done it; see that," as Hamilton sent the ball between the posts. "The extra half-hour is sure to be played now," said another, as the Vale of Leven men brought down the ball to mid-field, and kicked off. There was, indeed, great excitement, and as the Queen's Park again and again pressed their opponents, and finally scored a second goal, it was a dozen times intensified, and the subsequent play made the Q.P. men more bold and determined. The Vale of Leven, as on the previous occasion, appeared in the field of play first, and had a punt about with the ball for a few minutes, when their opponents emerged from the pavilion and had some practice round the upper goal, while the umpires and the referee were arranging the preliminaries. The visitors won the toss, and played with what little wind there was in their favour. Hamilton kicked off, and Berry followed his forward companion, but Murray turned the ball, and M'Millan and Bruce had a nice run, and caused the ball to get near the Queen's Park goal, but Smellie caught it on the rise and sent it down the field. It was taken up on the left side, and Sellar ended a brilliant run by passing the leather fairly across the goal to Gulliland, and that player made a rare shot at goal, but Wilson was on the alert, and caught the ball very smartly, and sent it out. Here a close scrimmage was followed by another shot on the part of Allan, but the ball went over the lines. After the kick-out, the Vale of Leven men made a fine run up on the Queen's Park goal, and M'Lachlan had a long shy that caused Gillespie to throw away the ball in a hurry. The strangers played well together, and had by far the best of it, and made the Q.P. backs work about as they had never done before. Paton had another shy, and then the left outside forward had one that came so close on the bar that Gillespie had again to chuck out in double quick time. After this, Gulliland had a fast run down the field, and ended the run with a parting shot that went past on the right post. Some even play then occurred, but the Leven forwards manœuvred together better than those of the Queen's Park, and a fine piece of passing by Sharp, Osborne, and Bruce ended by the latter making a shy that touched the tips of Gillespie's fingers and went through the goal, close to the post. The point was so smartly made that it fairly took away the breath from the Queen's Park friends, and caused the faces of the supporters of the country club to beam with delight, while the cheering for the then successful team was long and loud. The players then faced up in mid-field and renewed the battle, and not very long thereafter the Queen's Park gained their first corner-flag kick, but it was a poor one for Sellar, and the ball was soon cleared away by the Vale of Leven backs. The Queen's team, however, kept well in front of their opponents' goal, and another corner-flag kick was succeeded by an exciting scrimmage, and then a shy by Gulliland was cleverly cleared away by Wilson. When half-time came, however, the Leven men were swarming round the Q.P. posts. The contest was then renewed in terrible earnest, and the Queen's Park, with one goal against them, had the wind in their favour now. The Vale of Leven, however, had the kick-off, but the ball was at once returned by M'Ara, and the Queen's Park found themselves right in front of the Leven goal, where one of the backs fouled the ball close on the right post. The shy was taken by Allan, and the ball hit the bar, but after an exciting scrimmage it was cleared by the Vale backs. The Queen's Park, however, were soon on it again, and the next five minutes' play was nearly disastrous to the Leven team, as no fewer than five corner-flag kicks were given to the Queen's Park, in consequence of kicking behind on the part of Leven men. The defence, however, was excellent, and by slow degrees the ball was worked clear, and M'Lachlan had a run down on the Glasgow club's goal, where the whistle of the referee told the spectators that the dashing forward was off-side. He did not seem to hear the whistle a bit, but coolly went up to the Queen's Park posts and kicked the ball through without the least opposition. The kick-out in front was followed by a fine run on the part of Gulliland and Berry, but Whitelaw managed to tackle the Q.P. young forward, and the ball was soon sent back. It did not go far, however, for the Q.P. forwards kept it among them for a time. The Leven men had now a good run on the left by Sharp, and Stewart sent the ball behind his own goal. Rankin took the corner-flag kick, but Arnott got on the leather in an instant, and sent it spinning up the field by one of his famous returns. From this point till the call of time the Queen's Park were fairly in it, and played, perhaps, as they had never done before. Defeat stared them in the face, and the game was fast drawing to a close. Barely a quarter of an hour and the destiny of the cup would be settled. As on the previous Saturday, however, the Queen's men played worthy of a great occasion, and won the trophy. Pressing their opponents up on the goal, they kept them there for a time, and although the ball was seen to go out and in among the shoal of busy feet a few yards from the posts, Wilson and the backs cleared brilliantly. At length, however, Allan had a corner-flag kick, which was managed so neatly that Hamilton got the ball in a good position and headed it through. This gave new life to the senior club and their supporters, and the cheering was again renewed when a few minutes after the next kick-off the Queen's Park drove the Vale team before them, and again had hot work near Wilson. The Queen's half-backs, who had hitherto not acted so well together in the earlier stages of the game, metaphorically speaking, "came out of their shells," and, along with the forwards, took an active part in the siege. Shots were aimed thick and fast at the goalkeeper, and at length Stewart, with a shooter, sent the ball spinning through, making the second goal for the Queen's Park. The teams then faced up in the centre, and the tremendous cheering which greeted the scoring of the second goal had scarcely died away when the Vale team made one last but brilliant effort to equalise, but they were driven on by Smellie and Arnott, and at length the whistle sounded, leaving the Queen's Park the winners of a match in every way worthy of the final tie for the Challenge Cup by two goals to one. Although the strain now and again was pretty heavy on the players when at close quarters, the contest all through was conducted in the most friendly way, and showed a marked contrast to some final ties played a few years ago. It may also be mentioned that the premier club have not held the trophy since 1885-86, when they defeated Renton by three goals to one; but of the seventeen matches played in the final the Queen's Park have carried off no fewer than nine, while the Vale come next with three.