RIOT AT SOCCER GAME

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

RIOT AT SOCCER GAME

Whole Team Injured by Hostile Crowds In Amazing Scenes.

• Amazing scenes were witnessed at Wirral, Cheshire, the other day when crowds invaded the football pitch towards the end of the Pyke Cup seml-flnal replay between Shell-Mex (Ellesmere Port) and Dee Rangers (Neston). Every member of the Shell-Mex team was injured; two of the players were knocked unconscious; police had to restore order; and the match was abandoned. The match was being played on the ground of Heswall Football Club. The trouble began with four minutes left for play and Shell-Mex leading 3—i. J. Bellingham, their left-back, received a blow on the mouth from a spectator who dashed on to the field. Other spectators and players hurried to his assistance, and a wholesale in-

vaslon of the pitch by over 100 people followed. Captain Felled. Every member of the Shell-Mex team came in for hostile treatment, the referee being powerless to intervene. Their captain, J. Hughes, was felled to the ground, kicked on the head and stomach while prostrate, and rendered unconscious. The youngest and smallest player on the side, J. Beahon, was also rendered unconscious by a blow on the jaw. Both of them were taken to pitalOrder was not finally restored until three police officers arrived on the scene.