ALLY DAWSON, the former Rangers captain, fears supporters will be driven away from football by the shocking scenes which followed Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final – because that's exactly what happened to his own mother in 1980.
That was the year when, following a late Celtic extra-time winner, supporters of both clubs poured onto the Hampden pitch in their thousands as mounted police struggled to keep the peace.
The ramifications were swift. There was the implementation of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill and the banning of alcohol from all grounds in the country. Without being glib, it made last Saturday seem like a minor kerfuffle.
Dawson was a Rangers player at that time and after the final whistle felt as tired as he was disappointed about a game his team had the better chances in and probably should have won, only for George McCluskey’s flick of his left boot to settle the game for Celtic with minutes to go.
Dawson was ushered inside the main when it became obvious trouble was coming, He had no idea what was going on outside, unlike his parents who sat stunned by what was happening just a few yards away.
“I sat in the dugout and was asked to go inside,” recalled Dawson who captained the club during the early 1980s. “A lot of things happened between rival fans, unfortunately.
“But I didn’t see much at all. I was gutted we lost and just sitting down. When the coaches came and said ‘in you go we’re taking everyone off the pitch’. I didn’t know a thing.
“My parents were at the game. I spoke to them afterwards and they said even in the stands there was so much going on. It was the last game my mum, Elizabeth, saw live. It put her off the rest of it. My father, John, came to watch me with a friend but that was her last game.
“This will put a lot of people off too. It will put a scar for a lot of people. It shouldn’t have happened but it has. It’s terrible it has and it’s an occasion which should be celebrated and rejoiced.
Read more: What really happened when the Scottish Cup Final descended into mayhem
“I think everyone hoped it was a thing of the past. We have moved on in a lot of ways. But it’s very difficult to understand what goes through someone’s mind at that time.”
It would be sad to think anyone would be put off going to game because a minority have no simply interest in behaving themselves.
And what must have it been like to be a player in either dressing room back in 1980 who had relatives and friends at the game while a riot was going on.
“I knew my parents were in the stand and I knew they would be fairly safe – well I hoped they would be,” said Dawson. “There were one or two mindless supporters getting involved and that's what caused my mother to say that was enough.
Mrs Dawson’s days of going to the football may not be long ago; however, she still likes watching it and couldn't believe the familiar scene which played out on her television screen on Saturday evening.
Dawson said: “My father passed away a year ago but my mother is still living and the two of us watched the game on the telly. I only got one ticket so I didn’t feel I would go on my own.
Read more: Gordon Strachan - Scottish Cup final fan trouble won't impact my Scotland squad
“She was as disappointed as me seeing the scenes after the game. I had gone there to see her but also to watch the game and she wanted to see it as much as me.
“I remember with Rangers we were over in Ireland for a game against Bohemians in 1984 and there were problems there.
"The bus got attacked but I didn’t actually feel I was unsafe. To hear that Rangers players were assaulted is pretty poor. It’s something that should never happen.
“You hear about it and see some clips from South America but to have it here is something that shouldn’t happen. Football is supposed to bring people together but it’s not right when this goes on.”
Ally Dawson was speaking at the draw for the Homeless World Cup which takes place in Glasgow from July 10-126. George Square will be converted into an outdoor street football venue for the event, with three purpose built pitches with seating
Dawson is manager of the Scotland team and said: “It’s going to be different playing at home. I’ve tried to explain from playing a five a side at Power League it’s very difficult and very different to playing in front of a huge crowd.
"There will be a huge crowd. Each year it’s built up. It’s great to get that publicity.”
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