SOCCER TO ME—A CONFISCATED ARSENAL

Wilfrid Sheed

April 21, 1969

At a recent Southampton-Chelsea match, police frisked "terrace" (bleacher) fans and acquired a startling collection of weapons. Included were a switchblade, a sheath knife, a vegetable knife and several clasp knives. There were also belts, bottles, spanners, pliers, steel combs with sharpened teeth, large nails, a stiff-bristled brush, a sharp-edged badge and a number of crash helmets which, while offering protection from flying objects, are also good for butting people. Lastly, police found a batch of tin cans. "They can be stamped on until they have sharp edges," said a police spokesman. "Thrown above the crowd, they can inflict serious injury."