Football Misery

STREET FOOTBALL - FINED

Saturday 20th 1923

Not every case my great grandfather got involved with was a great larceny. Much of his early career seemed to involve him being involved with either traffic matters, or - as with this case - dealing with what we might these days deem as "anti-social behaviour" (ASB).

Much has been written and spoken about ASB. One of the more common points of contention is around youths congregating, or playing football in the street. There is a natural tension between fear of crime and disorder, and an increasing fear of youth, set against the natural desire of young people to want to spend time together and have fun.

I don't know exactly what the issues were in Bridge Street, Grantham back in 1923, but PC Bramhall was walking his beat down the street when he saw what is described as a number of "small boys" playing football. They all ran off when he approached.

That is, except one. Fred Welbourne (23) of Witham Place, remained in situ. He denied playing football in the street, saying, "if I were playing football, I would have run off with the other lads". The magistrates did not accept this, and fined him 2s and 6d for the offence of playing football in the street. I'm not sure what level of anxiety existed around youths playing football in the street back in 1923 - this was well and truly before the issues of football hooliganism had emerged.

I wonder what Fred Welbourne and his family thought of the fine?

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