Rowdyism – Rushden fans
From the Luton Reporter. of the 9th Dcember 1893 –
“The conduct of the crowd cannot be condemned. Execration was heaped upon the Luton players, and the vilest language was used towards them. Even the visiting spectators were badly treated in this respect, and the Luton Press men who undertook the journey were not only howled at by the ruffians who surrounded the ring but treated with extreme discourtesy by persons who were stated to be officials—but who it may be hoped, for the sake of the club, had no connection with the organisation. The Luton crowd has been given a bad name, but at its worst it was never able to hold a candle to the Rushden roughs in point of vileness of behaviour. If they had contented themselves with hostile behaviour on the ground it would have been bad enough, but about 50 or 60 of the worst of them trudged to Irchester for the purpose of hooting and insulting the Luton players on leaving. Altogether the Lutonians have never had a worse reception, and the best advice that can be given to the Town executive is to abstain from subjecting their men to the possibility of such unsportsmanlike treatment in the future.”