Although the Saturday cup matches were allowed to go ahead, poor weather ended up stopping many of these contests. Numerous games – including Berwick Rangers’ visit to Celtic Park – were called off. These matches were rescheduled for the following Wednesday. However Berwick Rangers, worried about their ability to arrange a midweek team, reached a deal with Celtic to “scratch” (withdraw) from the cup, meaning the Bhoys moved straight into the next round. Celtic once again did not observe any silence.
The Celts’ next match after the King’s death was held on Saturday 1 February, four days after the funeral. By this time memorials and tributes had already been observed and so Celtic were not affected. However it proved a sad day on the field for the Celts as 28,000 fans saw Hearts win 1-0 at Tynecastle.
The next change of monarch took place later in 1936 but for very different reasons – and without any silences. The new King Edward VIII wanted to marry an American woman, Wallis Simpson, who had been divorced. As a result he was forced to abdicate his throne, and the crown passed to King George VI.
George VI served as King for just over 15 years before his death in February 1952, when he was replaced by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth. King George died on a Wednesday and a full set of football fixtures was scheduled for three days later (Saturday 9 February).
Once more football was not cancelled – in England or Scotland – in spite of the monarch’s death (although clubs could choose to do so if both sides agreed). The one exception to this was that no games were to be played in London until after the funeral.
Instead similar memorials as observed on previous occasions were to take place: players would wear “black armlets” and a “one-minute silence” was held before the games. It was also suggested that music be played, with some Scottish clubs playing both ‘Abide with me’ and ‘God save the Queen’. Yet again, Celtic were not involved in these memorials. This was because it was Scottish Cup weekend and Celtic had been knocked out of the tournament in the previous round (losing 2-1 to Third Lanark after a replay).
Continued on the next page…
Good Stuff!
There was also the story about 1910 about an old lady seeing a newspaper bill “Great Man Dead” referring to King Edward VII. The old lady thought that it was someone more important – Jimmy Quinn!
My appeal to Celtic supporters on Sunday, incidentally, is to make their feelings plain, if they must – but to cut out the bad language. That does not help.
Love the fact that the repugnant rat Jeremy Kyle is outraged at Celtic banners. The same scumbag directly responsible for the suicides of the guests he humiliated on his vile exploitative TV show. How did this lowlife get another gig on the telly. If you are not a slave you should protest the corrupt nonsense that is monarchy. Funny how the British claim they will never be slaves but are slaves to this repellant regime. Worth 28 billion yet won’t stump up for Nan’s funeral. Free loaders the lot. Good to know Chuckie the turd will be the last
Journalist? Really. Another celebrity fan for the new Rangers. Kyle and Andy Cameron.