Season 1900/1901

Newcastle United - Sunderland FC - 05/04/1901

Source: http://www.toonarama.co.uk/fans/onthepitch.html

Sunderland were the current leaders and Newcastle were in 7th. The capacity of St. James was only 30000 at the time and it was estimated that somewhere between 50 and 70,000 people had turned up. In contrast, there was only 25 policemen on duty. By 2.15 the ground was packed and the gates were locked.

Despite this people still attempted to get into the ground and the stadium gates were knocked down and fencing was demolished. Some fans climbed onto the roof of the main stand. Thousands spilled onto the pitch as a result of the crush. A multitude of Pitch and Toss gambling schools started up on the pitch. Police - some of them mounted - drew their truncheons and attempted to clear the pitch to no avail. The teams made an abortive attempt to enter the arena and it was announced at 3.45 that the match was to be abandoned

Things started to turn ugly. The rival fans engaged in a mass fight on the pitch and it was reported that "three or four thousand persons, mostly young fellows with caps formed themselves into one compact body and went on an expedition of wreckage" The goals were wrecked and the club flag was torn to shreds. Improvised weapons were made from barriers and fencing and bottles and stones were flying everywhere.

Eventually the police regained control following a series of baton charges but it took until 5.00pm to clear the ground. Amazingly only 15 people were injured and 9 required hospital treatment (including someone who had fallen off the roof and others who were hit by the crossbar of the goal they were demolishing)

A Sunderland fan tried to raise a protest but only 3 others turned up to the meeting he arranged. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to sue the club for wasted admission and expenses and had to fork out for the legal costs (some £70) himself (shame)

The match was eventually played 19 days later with an estimated 20,000 people seeing Sunderland win 2-0; their third successive victory at SJP since United had joined the top division.