THIS fine collection of gentleman from Glasgow Police would have rocked Movember.
Moustaches aplenty, this was the city Force’s estimable tug-of-war team from 1903.
Sport was a big part of the life of a police officer at the turn of the century.
Bosses understood it was a way of keeping their men fit and motivated – and showing off their prowess to the public, terrifying criminals along the way.
The website Athlos, which is dedicated to the history and literature of athletics over the centuries, says: “Inter-force competition had become an important part of a force’s identity; not least in Glasgow where there was fierce rivalry between the Glasgow City, Govan, and Partick police forces.”
It adds: “Policemen were by their nature big men, and in Scotland the sports they favoured were based on strength, muscle, and size.
“Each force had their own Sports Day, and there were many inter-force sports. Tug-of-war was a particular focus for competition: Glasgow, Govan, and Partick all had excellent teams.”
These pages have featured the 1889 Glasgow team before, notable for its inclusion of William McIntosh, father of renowned designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
He was captain of the team, leading them in competitions at the International Exhibition in Glasgow in 1888 and in Paris the following year, and in addition, he was an accomplished rifle marksman. He also founded of the Glasgow Police Athletic and Rowing Club in 1882.
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