Some Policeman!: Bobby Ferrier Abroad

Some Policeman!: Bobby Ferrier Abroad

Coverage of Motherwell's trip to South America

Player Bobby Ferrier offers readers in Scotland some negative observations about the Argentine police, fans, and players. In this article, he suggests that fans take the game too far by trying to shove, push, and throw objects at players when they leave the stadium. During the game, police officers seem to lead the wild cheers when the local team scores a goal and offered little protection. Likewise, the referees struggle to maintain order, fearing what crowds might do to them (Ferrier recounts that local fans supposedly shot at referees for decisions that hurt their team). Other colorful anecdotes from Ferrier include a revolver falling out of a fan's pocket when he bent over to pick up an organe to throw at Motherwell players, as well as some fighting between the Scottish team and locals crowding their cabs. He ends the article with a scathing rebuke: "...when I tell you that [the Argentine Association's] idea of an afternoon 's entertainment was showing us round a brewery or slaughterhouse you'll appreciate the good it did us. Upon occasion we did not stir from the hotel from one week's end to another. Just sat and played with our thumbs, and wished we were home."

Page 6

The Motherwell Times

20-Jul-1928

The British Newspaper Archive

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