Fifty years ago today, Carlisle United won their third straight game in Division One to go top of the entire Football League.
What else was happening when the Blues hit the historic heights on August 24, 1974?
IN THE NEWS
The Evening News & Star’s front page on August 24, 1974 led with the grim news of the discovery of a teenage girl’s body in an allotment at Cleator Moor.
Police said they were treating the death as “suspicious” but not as a murder inquiry at the moment.
A “major investigation” involving members of the regional crime squad was under way.
Elsewhere in the news, there were tensions between Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council, with the former accused of sending “dictatorial” letters to the latter.
The contentious topic was the county’s decision to stop catering for mayoral functions.
City mayor Tommy Johnson said: “We hear all this about good relations between the two councils…the two meetings I have attended just make a nonsense of [that].”
“If we are getting dictatorial letters like these, the whole concept of local government is getting off to a very poor start,” added Dave Weedall.
WHAT WAS ON IN CARLISLE
At the cinemas, a range of entertainment was on offer.
At the ABC in Carlisle, filmgoers could enjoy ‘The Best of Benny Hill’.
Christopher Lee in ‘Scars of Dracula’ was a different kind of movie also on show – along with the slightly gentler ‘Dumbo’ and ‘King of the Grizzlies’.
Studio 1234 offered the Bond film ‘Live And Let Die’, as well as ‘Herbie Rides Again’ and ‘Run Cougar Run’ on screen one, while screen four offered ‘Planet of the Apes’ and, for good measure, ‘Escape from the Planet of the Apes’.
TV AND RADIO LISTINGS
After enjoying watching the Blues go top of the league, supporters could return home for a night in front of the box.
On BBC1 that evening, programmes included The Blackpool Tower Circus followed by the film 'One Million Years BC' starring Raquel Welch.
Next it was It’s Cliff Richard – a new series fronted by the singer – followed by Kojak, the news at 9.55pm and then Match Of The Day, Parkinson and Sergeant Bilko.
Over on Border, Saturday evening’s highlights included The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, while their Saturday film was ‘Ring of Fire’.
Those opting for BBC 2 could enjoy a profile of Lord Snowdon, the snooker show Pot Black and some international golf.
On the radio that evening, Radio Carlisle mainly carried BBC Radio 2’s offerings, other than ten minutes of Cumbrian news at 5.50pm and half-an-hour of Cumbrian Sport at 6.30pm.
Nationally, Radio 2 offered Les Dawson followed by ‘Radio 2’s Top Tunes’ and the European Pop Jury. On Radio 1, David Simmons and Alan Black were the DJs of choice, while Radio 4 on Saturday evening broadcast news, weather, ‘Letter from America, ‘Desert Island Discs’ and Saturday Night Theatre.
WORLD OF WORK
The situations vacant advertisements in August 24’s Evening News & Star included a prominent ad from Carr’s biscuit works in Carlisle.
“WOMEN,” they declared, “the children are going back to school so why not come to work?
“Vacancies on NIGHT SHIFT (£26.80 per week); also FULL & PART-TIME DAY SHIFT vacancies. Former employees invited to apply.”
The same advert also had opportunities for “MEN, for machine work on alternating shifts – overtime available, 20 per cent shift premium, training given and opportunities for upgrading.”
SPORTING NEWS
On the national sporting front, attention turned to The Oval, where England’s cricketers were battling to avoid the follow-on against Pakistan.
At the crease on Saturday morning were Dennis Amiss and Derek Underwood, who added 39 runs in 14 overs under attack from opposition bowlers Asif Masood, Sarfraz and Imran Khan.
Pakistan had declared their first innings on 600-7, with England progressing to 102-1.
In racing, there was action at Goodwood, Newmarket, Market Rasen, Hereford and Newcastle.
In local football, meanwhile, the previous evening had seen Workington Reds go down to a heavy defeat at the hands of Cambridge United.
Reds lost 3-0 at their hosts, David Lill (two) and Bobby Shinton scoring and Brendan Batson starring and, while Workington keeper Mike Rogan saved a penalty, Reds were left winless from their first three Division Four games.
MOTORING
Excitement was on offer for visitors to Patons Garage at the Viaduct in Carlisle. For they were now selling the new Volvo 144, which had “a great many nice improvements.”
These, the advertisement promised, included “a smart new dashboard with easy to reach controls, and four air nozzles for better heating and ventilation.
“The doors are specially reinforced for side impact protection, which is very comforting to know. And the seat adjusts to 25 different positions.”
WEATHER
Cumbria: ‘Rather cloudy, with occasional rain’. Well, what did you expect?
OTHER UNITED NEWS
Les O’Neill, who had scored three goals in United’s opening two First Division games, received not just the acclaim of supporters - but a complimentary note from his milkman.
“Howway the lads – well done Les,” the note read, after his strikes against Chelsea and Middlesbrough.
The Boro boss Jack Charlton, whose side were beaten 2-0 by United, offered a note of caution. He said: “Carlisle could find it difficult when they are playing at home and the pressure is on them to go forward. That’s the time when sides can be vulnerable at the back.”
He was, though, complimentary about the Blues, adding: “They made us play hunt the ball – and we didn’t have it very often. We must have run about 300 miles, but not always in the right direction.”
There was a trophy for United striker Frank Clarke in recognition of his top-scoring efforts in 1973/74’s promotion season, the silverware presented by directors Andrew Jenkins and Jim Bendall.
Carlisle’s players were also earning more as a result of promotion and their fine start. Contracts had been revised to bring them in line with their top-flight status, and bonuses had been banked after their early victories.
“Our first wins made it financially very worthwhile,” said manager Alan Ashman. “But our players haven’t been talking in the dressing room about the money they’ve been making.
"The topic has been the excitement of winning and playing well in our first matches in the First Division.”
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