Mr Alex Rose, secretary of Partick Thistle writes:
The Dumbarton team did not put in an appearance at our ground on Saturday
last, after a crowd of between three and four thousand had assembled, about
half of whom had paid for admission, nor did the cup holders send any apology.
Before making comment the Thistle awaits an explanation."
Mr Alex M’A Kennedy, Honorary Secretary, Dumbarton FC writes:
"I am not guilty of answering all the anonymous articles which appear regarding
Dumbarton Football Club, and should have treated this one with contempt were
it not for the sake of the spectators who paid for admission. The latter certainly
deserve an explanation, but not at our hands. Our committee did everything in
its power to get up a team for Saturday, but failed, and on Friday I wired as
follows to Mr Halley, president of the Thistle, with whom I had been in communication:-
"Very, very sorry cannot possibly get a team. Forced to postpone match. Had
a fair scratch team till this morning. Will endeavour to give another date."
I have therefore no hesitation in saying that the public deserve an explanation
from the Thistle. Why did the Thistle open their field under the pretence of
a match with Dumbarton when the match was off; or worse still, why did they
uplift money, and that from one half only, when they knew Dumbarton would not
be at Partick?"
Mr Joseph Halley, President, Partick Thistle, writes:
I have to state that no telegram, letter or other communication
has been received by me from the Dumbarton club. I am now in communication
with the PO telegraph department re the missing telegram, and if it turns
up it will settle everything. Under these circumstances, it seems that neither
club is to blame, but the PO for the non-delivery of the telegram. I have
to apologise, on behalf of the club, to the many people who were disappointed.
Hoping that the like won’t happen again."
Alex M’A Kennedy, Honorary Secretary, Dumbarton FC writes:
"In a note from the Dumbarton postmaster he says "My assistant
states that he has a perfect recollection of sending the message referred
to in your note. Had it failed to reach the addressee we would have been advised
by a service message, a copy of which would have been sent to you.""
Richard Hobson, Postmaster, writes:
"I beg to inform you that the telegram in question was handed
in at Dumbarton as stated, but I cannot find any trace of it having reached
Glasgow. The matter has been referred to the surveyor for the district in
which Dumbarton is situated."
No further correspondence was printed in the newspapers on this subject.
This page was written and designed and copyright © 1997 held by Niall Kennedy