Carlisle United First Division heroes back at Brunton Park

Members of the squad that played in the top flight in 1974/5 were back at the ground for the opening of a lounge in their honour.

Forward Bobby Owen, midfielder Les O’Neill and goalkeeper Peter McLachlan were the club’s guests as United opened the 74/75 Lounge.

The facility has been refurbished through a club and fan initiative and celebrates the club’s greatest ever team.

Les O'Neill, Bobby Owen and Peter McLachlan on the pitch to do the half-time draw (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Another of United’s 1974/5 greats – the late legendary keeper Allan Ross – was represented at the lounge opening by his wife Helen and daughter Ali.

Owen, O’Neill and McLachlan, after meeting fans before the game, were also presented to the crowd at half-time during United’s 1-0 win over Colchester United.

They received a warm welcome from supporters.

Les O'Neill, Bobby Owen and Peter McLachlan chat in the tunnel before their half-time appearance (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“It’s wonderful to be back and to see these lads again,” said former goalscoring hero Owen.

The hospitality lounge on the west side of Brunton Park has been redecorated with a 1974/5 theme, featuring photographs, programmes and other donated memorabilia from the unforgettable time United reached the top of the English game.

The lounge has been refurbished through a supporter and club initiative in tribute to United's greatest team (Image: Barbara Abbott)

It follows an initiative from supporters’ groups (CUSG) in partnership with the club.

United’s supporter liaison officer Simon Clarkson said he was delighted the former players were there on Saturday for the lounge opening – and added that more of the 74/75 heroes are due to visit in future weeks.

Images of United's First Division heroes adorn the lounge (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“It’s taken a few months to pull together,” he said. “But it’s been a really enjoyable project.

“The memorabilia donations from fans have been fantastic – we got the design experts on board, and I really like what we’ve got out of the black and white images and the contrast with the programmes and some great photographs.

Images from all the home programmes from 1974/75 form part of the decor in the lounge (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“It was also great to start speaking and tracking down the players, and also putting them in touch with each other – some had lost contact, and now you can see the enjoyment they get in seeing each other again, and making arrangements to catch up.”

Carlisle’s 1974/75 season was an unforgettable one in the club’s history as the Blues, after promotion from Division Two, went on to top the First Division after the first three games of the new campaign.

It proved their solitary campaign at the top level of the game and Simon said it was special to celebrate it in such a way at Brunton Park.

Some of United's former heroes catch up in the newly-refurbished lounge (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“Bobby's brought in some photographs which is more material we can use in the future, in the same way that [former goalkeeper] Trevor Swinburne donated his [1982 promotion] shirt, which is currently being framed and will be on display as soon as it’s back.

“Mike Nixon, who does the framing, is a Carlisle fan who understands the importance of these things.

Former midfield star Les O'Neill was at Brunton Park on Saturday (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I would encourage fans, when they’re here and the room’s not in use, to come in and have a beer and a look around, and hopefully they’ll like what they see.

“It shows that if you’ve got any memorabilia that you’re able to donate, we will try and make the best use of it.”

It is the latest area of the ground to be relaunched with a theme based on United’s former heroes, after bars were renamed after Peter Murphy and Jimmy Glass in response to supporter polls.

Former goalscoring star Bobby Owen was at the opening of the 74/75 Lounge (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Further bars are to be renamed in tribute to John Halpin and Tony Hopper.

“It’s partnership working at its best, and shared financial initiatives between club and fans groups,” Clarkson added.

Peter McLachlan, goalkeeper in the 1974/75 squad, was among the former Blues players back at Brunton Park on Saturday (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“So when we go out and we do things like raffles and fans say, ‘What's this money for?’ we can show them.

“These are the things we can do that we can deliver on as volunteers, and the final part is linking with local businesses, whose support we really appreciate.”

READ MORE: Big match verdict on Carlisle United's win over Colchester