Glasgow Derby Re-enacted On Bicycles At Theatre – Celtic In The Second World War

The Celtic Star are set to add another book to its growing library this year, with the forthcoming publication of Celtic In The Second World War. You can read more about that project by clicking HERE and you can follow @celticww2 on Twitter for regular updates from author Liam Kelly.

We have posted a number of previews from the publication to date. You can read of a former Celt’s heroic bomb diffusion by clicking HERE or the mayhem that was WWII football HERE.

In this article, we give readers a sneak peek of a story about a Glasgow derby match being re-enacted by people on bicycles at the theatre! This was a welcome bit of entertainment for people at the beginning of the War, when football had momentarily been suspended before regional leagues were set up.

Set in September 1939, after the Scottish League had announced their intention to shelve plans for regional football and instead press on with the national game, here’s how the tale unfolds:

SNAGS IN WAY OF LEAGUE RESTART

On the day that news broke regarding a restart of league football, the SFA Emergency Committee met to have the final say on matters. The League Committee’s announced intentions to recommence proceedings came as a huge surprise and upset the plans being made for competitions to run on a regional basis. The word on the street was that the League had contemplated district tournaments but felt that the suggestion presented too many difficulties. Therefore, all attention was now on the SFA.

It was thought that most League Committee members were doubtful of their scheme being sanctioned but made a determined effort to have it passed anyway. Beyond that issue, the players would face difficulties in leaving their places of employment for matches; let alone the problems with police preventing big crowds from gathering and the Government restricting travel.

The feeling amongst clubs themselves was that they were very much in favour of a return to competitive action. Indeed, Aberdeen, Arbroath, the Dundee rivals, St Johnstone and a number of others wrote to their absent players to ascertain their attitudes on payment and their positions in regard to travelling. It was felt that sound elevens could be fielded by most clubs, even if many regular players were absent with the forces, but nothing could be determined without the sanctioning of the SFA and then the approval of the Government.

Remarkably, the SFA sent a delegation to the Home Office later that week, in an attempt to get some restrictions withdrawn. As mentioned, many clubs were willing to return to competitive football, but the public were yet to be convinced. If football was to be of any recreational viewing for fans, then shadow teams couldn’t be put on the field or many felt that it would be unsatisfactory.

Faced with the possibility of having to play against Celtic at Palmerston Park on the Saturday, Queen of the South’s directors met with one another. The Dumfries club had received no direct communication that the decision to restart had been made, and being in the dark with regard to the official position, they sought guidance from the League. Incredibly, the attempt to get information from an official source was unsuccessful, and Queens had to send a telephone message to one of the Glasgow newspapers asking to be acquainted with the position!

It soon became apparent that the chances of a return to league football were slender. SFA Secretary George Graham said that a meeting between the SFA deputation and the Secretary of State for Scotland had encountered fresh problems. In addition to the divergence of views which existed among local authorities as to the control of crowds, it was intimated that, for competitive matches, the Government now desired that crowds be restricted to 50% of the seating capacity. This would mean a limitation at Ibrox of 5,000, at Hampden Park of 7,000, and at some grounds attendances would be restricted to mere hundreds. Queen of the South’s Palmerston Park was one such ground where the attendance would be cut to just 350 and tickets would have to be purchased in advance.

It goes without saying that clubs could not resume under such conditions, despite the scheme being viable in England, where seated accommodation at stadiums was often much greater than in Scotland. Given the circumstances, it was agreed to suspend league arrangements for the coming weekend and to seek another interview with the Private Secretary, Sir John Colville.

CELTIC V RANGERS GAME RE-ENACTED ON BICYCLES AT THE THEATRE

When war was declared a ban was placed upon all entertainment venues. However, an alteration to that rule meant that cinemas and theatres could re-open.

The Empress theatre in Glasgow took advantage of this privilege and capitalised on the suspension of competitive football by hosting an unusual style of stage play. The Daily Record’s 19 September 1939 edition provided a brief, yet intriguing, summary of the event.

“Theatre-goers at the Empress, Glasgow, last night saw a real old-time Rangers-Celtic thriller. The only difference was that this game was played on bicycles by a trio of star cyclists, Cook, Wells and Harvey. Incidentally, there was a real ‘Hampden Roar’ when Celtic scored the winning goal just on time.”