Some very serious disturbances have taken place at Hampden Park, for which the club has been in no way responsible. The first of any importance was the outbreak of passion on the occasion of the English Cup tie between Queen's Park and Preston North End, 30th October, 1886, when a violent endeavour was made by a justly incensed crowd to reach Ross, jun., one of the English team, who had foully charged Harrower and rendered him unconscious, in the closing minutes of the game. Were it not for the protection afforded the offending player by the Queen's Park officials, a tragedy might have resulted. Fortunately for himself and the credit of football, Ross escaped through a back window, and safely reached the city. A full account of the affair will be found under the chapter headed "Queen's Park and the English Cup."

A serious disturbance, on a small scale, occurred at Hampden Park, 3rd January, 1887, owing to the game with Aston Villa having to be abandoned at half-time through the extreme severity of the weather. Mr. Geake was of opinion the club was greatly to blame in opening the gates at all. He thought the best way out of the difficulty, to keep faith with the public, was to hand over their share of the drawings, after deducting expenses, £22 14s. 8d., to the Charity Organisation Society, which was unanimously agreed to. The club made the donation as prominent as possible in the public press, so that those interested might see the course that had been taken, and the complete bona fides of the Queen's Park in the matter. The club was ever sensitive to retain the good opinion of the public, and maintain its own reputation for probity and honourable dealing. It was a club for gentlemen, led by gentlemen, and no blot or stain must dim its honour.

The riotous and disorderly scenes which marked the termination of the replayed final tie for the Scottish Cup between Celtic and Rangers clubs, 17th April, 1909, when Hampden Park was wrecked, and the entrance pay boxes set on fire, caused serious inconvenience, anxiety, and annoyance to Queen's Park officials, who, on the following Monday, met and decided to close the ground until the end of the football season, and also for the Glasgow Charity Cup ties, as a protest against the disgraceful scenes, lawless conduct, and hooliganism of a section of the spectators. The club offered a reward of £100 for information which would lead to the apprehension and conviction of any person or persons concerned in the riot. As it was feared there might be a renewal of the disorderly proceedings on Saturday or Sunday evenings, instructions were given to the police authorities for policing the ground on these nights with thirty police, two sergeants, and one inspector, and thereafter with such a force as the the Superintendent of the Queen's Park Division might think necessary. Nothing happened, however. Mr. Thomas Gray, fire assessor, Bath Street, was called in to estimate the damage, which he valued at £1,000. All parties concerned—the Scottish Football Association, Celtic, Rangers, the Town Clerk, and the insurance company—were duly advised in case of responsibility. However, the Scottish Association paid £500, and Celtic, Rangers, and Queen's Park went one-third each in the other £500. The Scottish League allowed the club to play all its remaining League games on neutral ground. Chief Constable J. V. Stevenson was thanked for the splendid services of the police; but for their heroic efforts it was extremely probable considerably more damage would have been done to the property and effects of the club. Regarding the claim entered against the Corporation, the Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. John Lindsay, intimated a counter-claim against the club for damages to police, etc.; but, after a conference with that gentleman, both claims were withdrawn.