| Match | Matches: 1904 – 1905 | 1901-1910 | Forum |
The Hearing
A meeting of the Scottish Football Association was held in the rooms of the Association, Carlton Place, Glasgow – Mr Stevenson, chairman, presiding.
A letter was read from the secretary of the rangers Club claiming the tie played between them and the Celtic on Saturday at Celtic Park, and stopped about eight minutes from the finish by a break-in of the spectators. the claim was granted unanimously.
Subsequently a letter was read from Mr Tom Robertson. who was referee in the match, stating that he had had occasion to order Quinn, of the Celtic, off the field for kicking Craig, of the Rangers. He stated further that Quinn was, to his mind, one of the principal causes of the break-in towards the close of the game. A letter was also read from Quinn denying that he had kicked Craig either accidentally or intentionally. Craig caught him by the leg and held it, and he jerked it several times to get free. He though that if Mr Robertson had considered for a moment he would have seen that it was impossible that a person standing on one leg with the other held fast could possibly have been guilty of kicking. in a third letter from Craig, it was stated that he had neither been kicked nor stamped on by Quinn.
Mr Roonie moved that further consideration of the case be delayed till the next meeting of the Association on the 11th April, and that Craig, Quinn, and the referee be cited, but an amendment that the case be proceeded with forthwith was carried by 9 votes against 8.
Mr Hutton moved that Quinn be suspended for a month. Mr Ward seconded. Mr Steven moved that he be suspended till the end of the season, and this was seconded by Mr Danks. Mr Roonie move that he be severely censured. Mr McLachlan seconded. Ultimately the motion fro a month's suspension was carried by a majority.
The Celtic's View.
A communication referring to the break-in at the match was read from the directors of the club. It stated that they deeply regretted the occurrence, but pointed out that, while there would be 35,000 people present, the number who trespassed on the field did not exceed 100 or 150. most of whom were boys. The idea seemed to be that by stopping the game a replay might be secured, as the majority of them, when they did get on the field, simply indulged in horse play. This insane idea the Celtic had nipped in the bud by at once agreeing to give the Rangers the tie. In conclusion, the letter pointed out that that was the first time that a game had been stopped in such a way in the Celtic Park.
The Chairman said he was sure they all regretted the incident. It was a very serious matter for football.
Mr Ward said he thought the Celtic defence a good one, and, in his opinion, it would be a mistake to close the ground, pr even to censure the Celtic Club. he did not see how they were at all to blame. He moved that they be cleared of all liability in connection with what had occurred on Saturday. This was seconded.
Mr McCulloch said he thought that the Celtic should be recommended to do at least one thing. They had mounted policemen there, and if they had had any way of getting these policemen down to the track the first break-in might not have been prevented, but the second would certainly not have been allowed to occur. Mr ward might combine with his motion a hint that the Celtic see to this in the future.
Mr Ward said he was willing to adopt this as part of his motion, which was then put as follows, and unanimously agreed to: "While regretting the unfortunate occurrence, that the Celtic be cleared of all liability, and further that they be recommended to have arrangements made in the future to admit mounted police to the enclosure to meet any emergency."
The Appeal
1905-04-05: SFA Meeting "The Quinn Affair -The Appeal"
A meeting of the Scottish Football association was held in the rooms of the Association, 7 Carlton Place, Glasgow. Mr Stevenson, Falkirk presided.
J Quinn of the Celtic, wrote appealing against the decision of the Association by which he had been suspended for a month for alleged misconduct at the semi-final in the Scottish Cup tie on Celtic Park on the 18th March. Quinn protested that he was innocent of the fault with which he had been charged and asked to be allowed to produce evidence to prove that there had been a miscarriage of justice on the part of the Association. On a division it was decided by 13 votes to 10 votes to dismiss the appeal.
