May 3, 1902
A letter has been received by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, forwarded on behalf of the members of the Madrid Football Club, in reference to the Ibrox Park disaster. After expressing deep sympathy with the sufferers, the letter states: –
“We passionately love physical exercise, but we loathe anything resembling the Roman gladiator. We abhor professional players and betting, being addicted to this sport for the sake of educational intercourse. We are not partisans of ill-feeling amongst players, which degenerates and demoralises the people. We advocate games as a moral link between one and another, and as a means of physical development which should be employed in good works. Our motto is, ‘Neither vanquished nor conquerors’ – when the Blues have won a match, let the Reds win another one. We are brothers.”
(Sunderland Daily Echo: May 3, 1902)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 