A POLICEMAN who was on duty at the 1980 Scottish Cup Final wrote to us, threw around some rather unfair insults and demanded that we publish his version of events from that game almost 40 years ago. But publish it we did and then we heard from Paul Devlin, ball-ball at Hampden that day.
Paul incidentally added these remarks to what we have already published. “Sorry for the rambling but wanted to get it out there. I guess my point was a lot went wrong that day…apart from the result obviously! I can’t really say that anyone was to blame because in a way, everyone was in some way.
“I never realised I would be part of Scottish footballing history that day, but 40 years on I remember it vividly.
“I went on to become a ball boy for Celtic a couple of years later then worked the gates…some incredible moments, but nothing came close to that day in 1980 at Hampden…although from a footballing stand point seeing Maradona up close make his debut for Argentina in 1979 was also unforgettable!”
We then heard from a Celtic supporter Bryce, who was at the game who went on to join the Police himself. Here’s what he had to say.
“I was at the game as a 17 year old and right down the front at the caged fence.
“Celtic scored and after the whistle the fans invaded the pitch to celebrate. Rangers fans invaded to fight. To say the Rangers stands emptied is nonsense.
“As per the Hibs Cup Final of a few years ago they were only intent on violence.
“Both teams got fined 10 grand I believe and alcohol was correctly banned from football. The next year I also became a pig and have policed football fans all over the UK and Europe. Guess who have the worst reputation?
“Oh and I am also from Kirkintilloch. It’s a small world when your recollection of the truth is hidden by the Police handshake.
“Please have my permission to print the truth,” wrote Bryce.
And Pat McGeady also got in touch to have his say and tell us what he remembers about that Cup Final and what followed.
“I remember the game and aftermath very clearly in my mind,” Pat stated.
“After the final whistle a young boy clutching a football ran on to pitch with a football. He dribbled it up to the Rangers end and put it in the bet and pushed the air to celebrate.
“A sea of bottles came from the Rangers support mainly from the enclosure. Rangers supporters then invaded the park and more Celtic supporters then entered the field of play. The Rangers supporters then began to attempt to attack the Celtic supporters. More Celtic and Rangers supporters then entered the field and fighting pursued…
“I had gone to the match with several friends and watched the game from the Celtic end. We didn’t involve ourselves in the aftermath of the game but was concerned on leaving the ground. Knew we would have to cross the Rangers support on Cathcart Road to reach our destination.
“What did concern me at the game was the lack of police officers on duty. Certainly was no fault of the police for what had happened though. We had grown used to a large police presence at “old firm ” games at Hampden. This always assured me and had never seen any problems at Hampden when the appropriate police presence was evident.
“I still have the programme and ticket from the game. Thinking back now on the match and the “riot” made me very aware of my safety and later my family’s safety at “old firm” games.
“Married and had a son in 1984, when he was old enough we both got Celtic season tickets. I didn’t let him go to “old firm” games until he was 16 and then only at Celtic Park!” Pat mcGeady wrote.
