Part four of our weekly 50th anniversary series charting the events of Carlisle United’s 1974/75 top-flight season.
Was this, 50 years ago, the greatest week in Carlisle United’s long history? Whatever case can be made for other periods, how do you beat a 100 per cent record in England’s top-flight – and a place at the summit of the entire league?
Truly, the Blues were in dreamland this time half-a-century ago. Within the space of eight days they had risen to an incredible position, something almost impossible to imagine now.
Here’s how it started. Carlisle, having won 2-0 at Chelsea on their First Division bow, then limbered up for a midweek trip to Middlesbrough, before Brunton Park’s first game in the top division against Tottenham Hotspur would follow.
Alan Ashman’s side were immediately buoyant, while their supporters were also getting good marks early into their 1974/75 adventure. Some national newspaper reports had alleged trouble involving Blues fans at Euston Station during the Chelsea trip, but these were shot down by officials.
Indeed, Carlisle’s deputy mayor Tom Bisland, who travelled to the game on the soccer special train, said he was “appalled” at the inaccurate reports of violence, claiming supporters of other clubs were responsible.
Police backed up this view, a spokesman at Albany Street confirming no United fans were arrested in connection with the disturbances. “The Carlisle lot were really well behaved,” he said.
Good to know. United’s bid to make even more positive headlines duly focused on their trip to Ayresome Park, to take on Jack Charlton’s Boro, who had dominated Division Two the previous term.
Manager Ashman opted to make one change to his opening-day XI, bringing Dennis Martin back into the side for Frank Clarke, who was still working his way back to full flow after a pre-season injury.
Ominously, Boro had won 3-0 at Birmingham on the opening day of the top-flight season. They were back at the level for the first time in 20 years and 28,000 fans turned up to welcome the Teessiders.
Yet their evening proved anti-climactic, since it was Carlisle who seized the stage. United’s performance was superb in all departments, particularly in midfield, where the energy of Les O’Neill and Ray Train set a decisive tone.
United drew Boro’s early sting, keeper Allan Ross saving well from Graeme Souness, and Bobby Parker showing some composed contributions under pressure.
Then, after just 14 minutes, Ashman’s men went ahead. O’Neill started and finished things, winning possession near the Boro box then getting a return pass from Joe Laidlaw, before finding his way through and beating keeper Jim Platt from a tight angle.
It was two in two for O’Neill, and things would soon get better. Initially, Carlisle had an aerial Boro response to deal with and captain Bill Green took command alongside Parker. At full-back, Peter Carr and John Gorman denied Charlton’s wide men any space, while up front, Hugh McIlmoyle’s intelligent movement pulled Middlesbrough into some tricky places.
United, after McIlmoyle had tested Platt with a shot from the right, led 1-0 at the break. Seven minutes into the second half, it was two: O’Neill glancing a perfect header home via Carr’s cross.
The remainder for Carlisle had an amount of swagger, Chris Balderstone joining the exhibition with some trademark skill, and the 28,719 simply had to admire United’s confidence in their 2-0 victory. The Blues' manager certainly did.
“It’s been a tremendous start for us – one which has exceeded the expectations of most people,” Ashman said. The only scar was a twisted ankle to Gorman which would rule him out of Tottenham’s visit.
Otherwise, United were flying. Ashman warned supporters that his side might need to “play it tight” in their next games, as intrigued opponents looked to put the upstarts to the test, while Ross suggested Carlisle’s start to the season may have silenced a few “doubting Thomases.”
An 18,426 crowd then filled Brunton Park for the ground’s First Division debut. Spurs brought stars such as Pat Jennings, Mike England, Martin Peters and Steve Perryman. Carlisle, though, brought yet more inspiration.
This was a tighter affair but one which ran United’s way in memorable fashion. It opened up in the 21st minute when the raiding Laidlaw drew a foul by Mike England. Referee Roy Capey gave the penalty – and then ordered a retake when Jennings saved Balderstone’s kick, the keeper ruled to have moved too soon.
Balderstone made no mistake second time round, driving the ball into the top right corner, and from there an intriguing contest unfolded. Spurs had the better of possession but their chances were sporadic at best, Tot Winstanley excelling in Carlisle's defence in Gorman’s place and only the crossbar denying Train a spectacular United second.
And so it concluded: 1-0 to the Cumbrians, a third straight clean sheet, a third consecutive victory and, as newspapers opted to publish league tables after a trio of games, an unmatched sight. Carlisle were officially the top team in the land. How could it possibly get better than this?
Click HERE to read last week's 1974/75 feature
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