> _The return match between Newcastle United and Sunderland was announced to take place at St. James’s Park, Newcastle, yesterday afternoon, but it had to be abandoned owing to the overcrowded state of the ground and the riotous conduct of the people._
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> _There has always been a strong rivalry between the premier clubs of Newcastle and Sunderland, and this feeling has been greatly intensified since both clubs are making such resolute to take leading honours in the League tournament._
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> _It certainly reached its culminating point yesterday, when St. James’s Park — extensive though it is — was found too small to accommodate the thousands of enthusiasts who came from all parts of the centres of Northumberland and Durham._
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> _For over two months in the first part of the season, Newcastle United headed Sunderland in the matter of points for the League championship; but since Christmas, Sunderland had proven themselves the better team, and recently the Wearsiders gained the topmost place._
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> _The issue of the match under notice was of the most vital importance to Sunderland, as a win of them practically meant that they would once more secure one of the highest classic competitions in the football worlds, if not the highest._
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> _Naturally, with the encounter invested with such a strong interest, it was anticipated that there would be a mammoth crowd in the event of fine weather, but it was never dreamt, with so many counter-holiday attractions, that the assemblage would reach such large proportions as it did._
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> _There was an unprecedented scene, one which perhaps has never had its counterpart in any other football centre in the country, and one which altogether does not redound to the credit of North-Country footballers._
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> _Three-quarters of an hour before the time appointed for the kick-off, every part of the enclosure was crowded far beyond its capacity. Over 30,000 people were already within the enclosure, occupying every inch of accommodation outside the rails._
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> _Before three o’clock, the gates were all closed, and still over twenty thousand people were clamouring for admission._
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> _Finding the gates closed against them, the people on the Gallowgate Leazes took matters entirely into their own hands. Indeed, a calamity both to the covered-in stand and the press-box was momentarily expected. The whole building shook from end to end, and in a few places the roof actually gave way under the severe pressure._
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> _At half-past three o’clock, when the match should’ve commenced, the position of affairs had assumed a most alarming character, and grave results were feared in the event of a postponement. Any hope of starting the match was quickly dissipated as the people continued to stream through the gaps they had made for themselves. There was chaos everywhere, and it was readily seen that it would be utterly impossible to clear the playing pitch._
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> _Even the space between the barrier and the touch line would not have accommodated standing room for those within the area. Mr J. Scott, the referee, together with the principal officials of Newcastle United and Sunderland, pushed their way to the field, and when they had taken a survey of the chaotic conditions they immediately decided that it would be quite impossible to play._
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> _Accordingly the players then left the ground, and when it was learnt that the match would not be proceeded with a series of unparalleled episodes followed. A rebellious spirit was at once manifested, and as the managements of Newcastle United were utterly helpless in the matter, a numerous section of the rough element commenced to riot and wreck the wooden stands._
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> _For a time, the small body of constabulary — who numbered about 25 — kept the unruly mob within bounds, and it is gratifying to record that the bulk of the people viewed the affair in a humorous mood, and were supremely indifferent to the cry that was made in some quarters for a return of the gate money. Under the circumstances, the management could not possibly accede to the request for a return of the admission money, for fully 20,000 persons got into the ground without payment._
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> _The 30,000 people in the stands delighted in watching the 10,000 or 12,000 people within the barriers indulging in all sorts of horse play. There was, too, at least a score of “schools” of pitch and toss, and the protests as to whether they were “heads or tails” as well as the heated arguments amongst others over the remarkable situation and the merits of Newcastle United and Sunderland to the numerous free fights._
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> _These comparatively common incidents developed in affairs of a more serious description. Three or four thousand persons, mostly young fellows with caps on, formed themselves into one compact body, and went on an expedition of wreckage. They tore down the nets at the bottom goal, but were thwarted by the police in their attempts to smash the goalposts._
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> _They, however, at once besieged the top goal, which was only protected by a single policeman. This constable gallantly held the mob at bay single-handed, but he was soon overpowered, and the posts and nets were quickly demolished, to the accompaniment of loud cheers._
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> _A policeman’s helmet was knocked off by the crossbar, but happily no more damage was done, though it seemed that there would be an ugly scene. Whilst they were marching down the field a number of men at the top of the bottom stand hauled down the large black and white striped flag and tore it to ribbons, whilst the crowd jeered and cheered at the operation._
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> _Gathering at the bottom goal, the hosts of roughs tried to repeat their destructive effort at the other end of the ground. The policemen, to the number of about a dozen, boldly held their ground. Then some of the ringleaders led their blind, thoughtless followers in hustling the policeman, who were in imminent danger of being trodden underfoot._
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> _Sergeant Potts and one or two constables were in particular very roughly handled, but, happily, when they all appeared likely to be thrown off their feet, they, together wither their comrades, drew their batons and charged their assailants. They gave no quarter, plying their batons with such energy and smartness that in a few minutes they had extricated themselves from what was unquestionably a very critical situation._
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> _There can be no doubt that such an extreme measure by the police in dealing with the unruly mob was fully justified, and the booing of a small section of the crowd was overwhelmed by the appreciative demonstration of the respectable portions of the crowd._
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> _Several people were hurt by the batons in the melee, and one was so much injured that he had to be conveyed to the Royal Infirmary._
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> _The crowd threatened to again attack the policemen, but immediately they presented a solid front to them and they retreated. Meanwhile, the stands and wooden erections in other parts of the enclosure were damaged, and many people were bruised had their clothes torn, and lost their hats in the crushing._
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> _The people on the roofs caused some excitement by the ingenious methods they adopted in dropping to the ground. Some had narrow escapes from falls, and one poor young fellow unfortunately dropped from the roof on the barrier in front of the director’s stand, a distance of some thirty feet._
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> _Reinforcements of police were summoned, but it was not until nearly five o’clock that they arrived in sufficient numbers, with Inspector Middlemass mounted, that the ground was cleared of everyone, both on the playing pitch and on the stands._
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> _Endeavours will doubtless be made to throw blame on the some one’s shoulders for such disorderly scenes, but though the force of 25 constables was admittedly incapable of controlling such a vast multitude, the cause of all the trouble was directly traceable to he unreasonable disorderly conduct of the people, who stormed the barriers in such numbers that neither the police nor the officials were able to prevent the disgraceful and uproarious incidents that happened afterwards_.