Part 17 of our weekly series charting Carlisle United's historic 1973/74 season...
It hardly seems like an ingredient for a glorious season to have your main leader of the line to ask for a transfer a few months after signing, yet this is what Carlisle United had to contend with in the November of 1973.
Frank Clarke had quickly become a key player in the Blues’ attacking set-up yet come the autumn was an unhappy figure.
The reported reason was that he was unable to sell his home in East Anglia following his move from Ipswich Town. Clarke had left his wife and family there upon signing for Carlisle and approached the Blues for a loan to help him buy a house in the city.
Yet this approach was rebuffed, and Clarke asked to be placed on the transfer list. “All I wanted was a short-term loan – now my situation has become impossible,” the striker told the Evening News & Star.
“I do not want to leave Carlisle, and it has been suggested I train at Ipswich. But I am not the sort of player who can turn up on a Saturday without being involved in training with my team-mates.”
Blues secretary David Dent said there was difficulty in meeting Clarke’s request for a loan because of Football League rulings. “We are obviously hopeful that something will be resolved,” he said.
Other transfer matters concerned Kenny Wilson, the former record signing who had failed to click since joining United from Dumbarton. He had cut short a loan with Workington Reds amid interest from Hamilton Academical.
Carlisle, though, were yet to receive a firm offer from the Scottish club despite talks between United boss Alan Ashman and Hamilton chief Eric Smith.
On the pitch, there were differing concerns as United headed further into November. Next up was the visit of Bristol City to Brunton Park, yet the Blues manager’s focus was also on Carlisle’s away form.
This matter was engaging Ashman to the point where he held an hour-long meeting with his players after training at the start of the week.
“Anyone who wants to be amongst the honours will have to produce consistently good results away from home,” said the boss.
Carlisle, he added, were improving in this regard, “but we talked this morning about away match techniques. Coming well in advance of our next away fixture at Aston Villa, it provided food for thought.”
In the meantime, the Robins of Bristol prepared to visit. Ashman hoped to have defenders Bill Green and Brian Tiler back available after injuries, though a lack of training for the pair put their involvement in doubt. Midfielders Ray Train and Mike Barry were more likely returnees against a visiting side managed by Alan Dicks.
City were, at this stage of the season, keeping pace with the contenders and it looked to be one of those games where Carlisle would need to draw on all their reserves to prevail.
As was becoming increasingly the case in 1973/74, that’s what happened – eventually.
On a blustery day, Carlisle – with the wind at their backs – looked to make a lively start with Chris Balderstone and the unsettled Clarke mounting early raids. Yet Bristol City also gave United some concerns in spite of the difficult conditions.
It was Carlisle, though, who struck first in the 14th minute after Dennis Martin had been fouled. Balderstone fired the free-kick against the post and, with visiting keeper Len Bond stranded, Tot Winstanley reacted first and stroked the ball through a cluster of players and into the net.
Winstanley, himself out of favour early in the campaign, was making the most of Green and Tiler’s continued absence, yet Dicks’ side were enterprising in their response with 17-year-old Clive Whitehead a threat.
Gary Collier and Tom Ritchie also forced United’s rearguard back, and keeper Allan Ross, into some diligent work yet before the break the Blues were breached. Whilst Clarke was off the pitch receiving treatment to a shoulder injury, the visitors drew level when Whitehead crossed and Ritchie rifled a first-time shot past Ross.
The game remained close to call as the second half unfolded and the gusty conditions continued hampering the quality of the football. Carlisle gradually regained a foothold, with Bobby Owen and Joe Laidlaw to the fore and Train coming off the bench for his first appearance for more than two months, replacing the hurt Clarke.
United, in the end, did enough to force their way back in front. The decisive moment came in the 75th minute when Les O’Neill, the acting captain, found the net at the second attempt after having an initial shot charged down.
It was the midfielder’s fifth goal of the season and, in front of a 6,000 crowd, heralded a heartening finish to the game where Carlisle’s performance levels lifted and could easily have delivered a more comfortable winning margin.
In the event, 2-1 was enough and it kept United very much an interested party among the division’s leading contenders. “The league is beginning to stretch out now – but there are still many teams involved,” warned Ashman.
Up next on the Blues' calendar was a trip to take on a side who would, in the end, help to define their fate...
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