A match official came close to being killed in a match between Newport and Sandown & Lake, back in February 1905.
The alleged ‘rough and violent conduct’ of spectators was reported to a meeting of the Hampshire Football Association at Scullard’s Hotel, Southampton.
The unfortunate linesman named Renouf was said to have been booed and threatened when he left the field, and one person struck him. After the game, he was stated to have been ‘kicked and jumped on’.
The report added:
“But for the interference of a number of spectators, the affair might have been worse, and the official might have been killed.”
Newport IW FC responded to the allegations by expressing sorrow at the occurrence, but claimed:
“The linesman brought it on himself by striking a boy, which raised the ire of the crowd.”
The Council of the Hampshire Football Association described the affair as ‘a serious thing’.
In response to a remark that the assault was committed outside the field of play, the Hampshire FA responded:
“A club was in duty bound to protect officials.”
The Council recommended:
“Newport be severely censured and requested to make further precautions for the protection of officials.”
A commission was appointed to go into the matter and a president appointed to act.
This was not the first time Isle of Wight spectators had been reported for disorderly conduct in that year… In January, referee A. Waldie had reported Brading supporters for this offence following crowd trouble at a match against East Cowes Victoria Reserves. The referee further reported the Brading captain A. White, Brading linesman J. Pitman and Brading Committee member R. Deacon for the same offence.
The Isle of Wight Divisional Football Association advised the Brading club to have printed notices regarding disorderly conduct posted on the ground.
However, East Cowes Victoria Reserves were also severely censured for the actions of one of their players named Chessell, who had struck a spectator after their game against Cowes Red Star Reserves.
These reports of news of yesteryear are fascinating, please keep them coming! They put in perspective the hooliganism that has been a feature of football in recent times. I am not a fan of football, but I understand the ‘game’ started hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years ago, when the victors of a battle decapitated their vanquished enemies & kicked their heads around. When at school in the !950’s I recall that the footballs were made of stitched leather, which was, I suppose, the nearest thing to a decapitated head!
P.S. Don’t try this at home!
So there were a load of Numpty’s thosedays.
Great story, love the old ones.