| Matches: 1888 1889 1890 | 1887-1900 |
Trivia
- Glasgow Charity Cup tie played at Hampden Park.
- Before 20,000 spectators.
- Largest Celtic attendance to date, and largest all season. [One Newspaper even claimed largest crowd yet for a game in Scotland to date!]
- Seals empty season of silverware for Celtic in the club’s maiden season, but a lot of good to still take.
Review
The first of the Glasgow Charity Cup ties between the Renton and the Celtic was decided on Hampden Park on Saturday afternoon. This year the committee decided to restrict the competing clubs to four, and selected the Queen’s Park, who are the holders of the Glasgow Cup, and the premier club of Scotland; Renton, the present holders of the Charity Cup 3rd LRV, this year’s Scottish champions; and the Celtic, who figured so prominently in the final for the national trophy. A great deal of interest was taken in Saturday’s tie, although for various reasons Renton were the favourites.
Since the institution of the Glasgow Charity matches, now a good many years ago, there have been many notable attendances. but the gathering of Saturday fairly eclipsed anything that had yet been witnessed in any Charity match, even in a final. For about an hour before the game was advertised to start there was a goodly gathering round the ropes, and by four o’clock it seemed as if every available inch of ground was utilised. There could not have been fewer than 20,000 spectators present, and the sum drawn at the sixpenny gate was £450 and the £70 from the stands amounted to £520.
Teams
Celtic:-
Kelly, McLaughlin, McKeown, Gallagher, Kelly, McLaren, Maley, Dunbar, Groves, Coleman, Dowds.
Goals:- Groves, Unknown 87.
Renton:-
Lindsay, Hannah, McCall, Brown, Gardiner, G Campbell, Harvey, H Campbell, J Campbell, McCallum, McNee.
Goals:- Harvey 1, Harvey, J Campbell, Harvey 59, McCall.
Att:- 20,000.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper reports from the time
Report 1
Renton v Celtic – The first of the Glasgow Charity ties was decided at. Hampden Park on Saturday, and so great was the interest evinced in the meeting that over 18,000 spectators were present. McCallum was absent from the front rank of the Celtic, and this caused a rearrangement of the entire forward line, Maley playing extreme right and Dowds of the second string— a halfback—partnering Coleman on the left. McLaughlin, formerly of the Hibs was introduced at back. Play commenced with Renton, who had their full strength, coming away brilliantly and scoring in the first minute of the game. This unexpected reverse completely demoralised their opponents, who though they played a pretty open game, did not display the same dash and combination. Renton were in great form and ere half-time J. Campbell and Harvey added two more goals to Renton’s total. Through a misunderstanding between McCall and Lindsay, the Celtic were enabled to gain their first point, The game throughout was on the rough side and free kicks were numerous. At half-time the score stood—Renton, three; Celtic, two: but on resuming the latter came away boldly, but were forced back. They failed at close quarters. McCall and Harvey each shot splendid goals, and the final result of a hard game was-Renton, five; Celtic two. The cup is at present held by the Renton, who have had its custody for the past three years. Saturday’s gate amounted to some £450.
Report 2
The first of the Glasgow Charity Cup ties between the Renton and the Celtic was decided on Hampden Park on Saturday afternoon. This year the committee decided to restrict the competing clubs to four, and selected the Queen’s Park, who are the holders of the Glasgow Cup, and the premier club of Scotland; Renton, the present holders of the Charity Cup 3rd LRV, this year’s Scottish champions; and the Celtic, who figured so prominently in the final for the national trophy. A great deal of interest was taken in Saturday’s tie, although for various reasons Renton were the favourites. Since the institution of the Glasgow Charity matches, now a good many years ago, there have been many notable attendances. but the gathering of Saturday fairly eclipsed anything that had yet been witnessed in any Charity match, even in a final. For about an hour before the game was advertised to start there was a goodly gathering round the ropes, and by four o’clock it seemed as if every available inch of ground was utilised. There could not have been fewer than 20,000 spectators present, and the sum drawn at the sixpenny gate was £450 and the £70 from the stands amounted to £520.
About a minute after the kick-off Harvey, Renton’s right wing forward, amid the greatest excitement, sent the ball between the Celtic’s posts. The ball was no sooner set in motion than the Glasgow men transferred it to the Renton’s ground, where some exciting play was seen. The back defence of Hannah and McCall was called into active play, and so well did they respond that the Celtic forwards were prevented from even dangerous at any time. T Maley tried a long shot at the Renton goal, but his effort came to nothing. In turn, little McNee had a try at the Celtic goal, but here again the effort proved futile, the ball just sliding past the left upright. A long and well-sustained attack on the Renton goal resulted, after some very stiff play, in the ball being carried away, but only for a very short time indeed. the time came, however, when a foul was given against the Celtic, just at their goal, and the result was that Harvey once more scored for Renton. Kelly was doing great things for the Glasgow team at half-back. But the Renton’s men were in best form, and they were always breaking away in fine runs. From one of these J Campbell (centre forward) scored a third goal for the Renton men, the ball being nicely centred and judiciously kicked through.
There was no doubt about the goal-shooting ability of the village lads, as they simply revelled in scoring when they got the least chance of doing so. the Celts, too, were playing well, and had many chances, all of which were spoiled through those little incidents that weigh down a team when they are on the unfortunate side. the play was fast and furious, but there was no great display of what one could call good play, excepting, indeed, when the Renton forwards combined as of old, and outclassed the city men in passing and dodging. Among the backs of the Renton team there arose a little misunderstanding regarding the return of the ball, and between Hannah, McCall, and Lindsay there came a chance for the Celtic forwards. Groves rushed in time, and breasted the ball through just as Lindsay allowed it to fall from his hands. All lethargy was now thrown off, and redoubled efforts made to score, but without avail, the whistle blowing with the result:- Renton, 3 goals; Celtic 1 goal.
On resuming, the Celtic forwards came away in fine style, passing prettily, and forcing their opponents to concede a corner, which came to nothing. The game became more open, but Renton offered a stubborn defence, McCall in particular tackling and kicking to great purpose. The Celts, however, managed to get away again, and Coleman tried a shot, which went wide of the mark. The Renton men looked fit and well and contested every inch of ground. The Celts, too were playing well, and forced Hannah to give a corner. the kick was taken by McLaren, but he sent the ball past the posts. On the kick-off the Renton again assumed the aggressive, and would have scored but for a mistake by McCall in front of goal. However, a corner was conceded, and the Celts had an anxious time of it defending their charge. Ultimately the ball got away, and Kelly was loudly cheered for a magnificent run. Some beautiful passing was witnessed among the Celts’ forwards, but it went for nothing, as the Renton halves were playing in grand form.
Fouls were given against both sides in midfield where the play was confined for some time. Harvey, for the Renton, afterwards began a likely run, but he was tackled in time by McKeown, and relieved of the ball. Renton however, continued to keep up their aggressive tactics, and after 14 minutes’ play scored their fourth goal, Harvey doing the needful. It was now generally conceded that the Celtic were hopelessly out of it, although they played with as much determination as ever, but could not come near scoring. Groves began a speedy run, and was making for goal at a great rate, McCall, However, intercepted him, and kicked behind, which gave the Irishmen a corner. The ball was well sent in, and it looked as if the Celts would score, but Dowds headed the ball behind. Immediately on the kick-off the Renton were at the other end, and experienced hard lines in not scoring, Kelly just saving by falling on the ball. the game became faster than ever, and groves was loudly cheered as he wended his way through many opponents.
Just when he was about to score he became surrounded by a host of Renton men, and his final effort went wide of the mark. The Celts, however, were not to be denied, and once more they did the pressing, forcing Lindsay to fist out, and afterwards to concede a corner which was futile. After some general play the Celts had a clear goal at their mercy. Lindsay fisted out the ball, which landed at the feet of Maley, who missed it. Shortly afterwards Renton, amidst loud cheers, scored their fifth point very cleverly. Three minutes from the close the Celtic put on their second goal, which was got easily.
There was no further scoring, and the game ended:- Renton, 5 goals; Celtic, 2 goals.
