Part one of our weekly 50th anniversary series charting the events of Carlisle United’s 1974/75 top-flight season.
With history approaching, and Carlisle United’s first-ever top-flight campaign just weeks away, manager Alan Ashman opted to dial down the intensity of pre-season for one day at least.
Instead of another grueller of double-session training, a lighter day featured an alternative activity: cricket.
United’s newly-promoted heroes duly lined up against their own supporters’ club in an evening game at Edenside. The contest had been arranged to raise funds for Carlisle Cricket Club – and it was certainly in United’s favour that their XI included a certain Chris Balderstone, a First Class player of great ability and indeed a future England Test player.
With Balderstone’s talents in their ranks – United having denied him permission to turn out for Leicestershire during the critical days of pre-season – the First Division Blues made short work of the fans’ XI. The great all-rounder’s left-arm spin accounted for half the supporters’ club wickets, while United cruised to their target of 62 for the loss of just two wickets, skipper Bill Green top scoring with 37.
If only top-flight football would prove so comfortable. United were inching closer to their maiden campaign at the summit of English football and their more orthodox preparations before the big kick-off saw their involvement in the Texaco Cup.
United were in a group with the three big beasts of the north east – Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough – while they had a man from that corner of the country in promising form already. Teessider Joe Laidlaw had fired five goals in two warm-up victories against Workington Reds and these were bright signs amid the general slog of preparation.
“I was coming in to do a bit of training for a fortnight before we started officially, and I think this has helped a lot,” said Laidlaw. “It breaks you in a bit more gradually – although I must admit that the way we have been working in training has been very hard indeed.”
There was certainly optimism off the field in terms of crowd numbers, given that hundreds of Blues fans were preparing to travel to the landmark Division One opener at Chelsea on August 17. British Rail’s special train was due to take 500 fans, with the supporters’ club running its own excursions.
“In addition, buses seem to be going from all over the place,” said supporters’ club secretary Colin Barton. “It’s Carlisle’s first match in the First Division and people want to see it because it’s such a unique and special occasion.”
The preceding games in the Texaco were chances for Ashman’s summer signings to further blend in before that capital mission. Eddie Spearritt, Bobby Parker and Hugh McIlmoyle were bedding in well; McIlmoyle, the great striker back for a third spell, duly gave further notice of his enduring talent with an eyecatching display against Boro.
United, who had lost 2-1 to Preston North End in another friendly before the Texaco action, laid on a positive showing to defeat Jack Charlton’s Division Two champions at Ayresome Park. The skill and invention of McIlmoyle and Balderstone were to the fore and the two classy operators almost unlocked the door for a goal early on.
At the other end Allan Ross produced some stunning saves before, five minutes into the second half, McIlmoyle fashioned the only goal, holding the ball up astutely before flicking the ball inside to Dennis Martin, who blasted home.
In defence, record signing Parker, the former Coventry City defender, was easing into United life with some sound interceptions on his debut alongside Green. They stifled Boro’s dangerous attack and the performance, and result, seemed to offer cause for First Division optimism.
“I’m not going overboard about it,” warned Ashman after the 1-0 victory. “There were several good aspects in our display, but still one or two things which aren’t quite right. The win has given us confidence, but I don’t imagine that Jack Charlton will be losing too much sleep about the outcome.”
Other duties during this particular week reflected United’s new rise. There was photocall day at Brunton Park, resulting in some of the most iconic team images in Carlisle’s history.
Such was the novelty of Carlisle reaching the top tier, some 50 photographers from local and national newspapers, plus picture agencies, were on the Brunton Park turf to capture Ashman’s men in that distinctive blue, red and white kit.
Beyond that, it was more of the grind. Ross, the long-serving goalkeeper, noted how Dick Young and Hugh Neil had stepped things up on the training ground, the demands on the players more punishing than ever. “It was getting so bad that we were all wondering if Dick had lost one of his pigeons in the weekend race!” ventured Ross in his Evening News & Star column.
Not so – the bird had come home in second place. As for United – their own thrilling race was ever closer to beginning.
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