Part 17 of our weekly 50th anniversary series charting the events of Carlisle United’s 1974/75 top-flight season.
There was no risk of Carlisle United manager Alan Ashman overselling his latest signing. Although the Blues sorely needed goals, the arrival of Eddie Prudham from Sheffield Wednesday was not going to resolve this alone – or even immediately.
Prudham, 22, was one for the ranks, someone who could be developed at United and who would hopefully flourish in time. That’s how Ashman, at least, presented the latest new face.
“I was on a routing scouting trip to see Partick Thistle and did not even know that Prudham was on loan to them from Sheffield Wednesday,” admitted the Blues boss.
“We liked what we saw in him and consider that we are fortunate to have him come to Brunton Park. He’s not a player who’s going to wave a magic wand. He is for the player pool and we hope he will respond to the coaching and family atmosphere at our club.”
Ashman, though, confirmed the new boy would be in the reckoning for United’s next First Division – the small matter of the visit of champions Leeds United. Carlisle hoped the striker’s potential would make him a shrewd signing in the end and would vindicate the policy of seeking bargains rather than big-name players.
Prudham himself was convinced he could progress at United. “I know all about the improvement to players when they come here,” he told the Evening News & Star, citing the likes of Ray Train, Bill Green, Peter Carr and Les O’Neill. “What a chance for me! I am looking forward to being taught a lot more about the game.”
Another piece of good news regarding the striker was that a potential suspension, arising from a red card in Scotland, would not be decided for a couple of weeks let. He had been dismissed for dissent after the final whistle in a game against Aberdeen, but the Scottish FA disciplinary board would not meet to discuss the matter until December 6.
He was, then, free to join United’s contenders to take on Leeds – a game which would have particular family significance for Carlisle’s experienced frontman Frank Clarke. The visiting side was due to include Clarke’s younger brother Allan.
“Although we are very close off the field, once we are on it we are deadly rivals,” insisted the Blues frontman. United would need all their competitive fire against a Leeds side now under the management of Jimmy Armfield following the short and tempestuous Brian Clough reign.
The post-Don Revie era at Leeds was only just unfolding yet their side contained formidable players such as Billy Bremner, who passed a fitness test before the Brunton Park trip, Johnny Giles, Terry Yorath, Joe Jordan and the “sniffer” Clarke.
Their visit drew 19,975 to Carlisle’s ground – an attendance only surpassed, so far, by October’s clash with Liverpool – and there was a lively mood about the place, particularly when United started the game impressively.
With Prudham in the starting line-up, in the No10 shirt in place of Chris Balderstone, Carlisle opened up spikily. After Les O’Neill and Peter Carr had early sighters for United, Ashman’s side raised the volume with a seventh-minuet goal.
Prudham chased down a Parker through-ball and a tackle saw Leeds defender Gordon McQueen dispossessed. Dennis Martin ran onto the loose ball and, from 20 yards, fired a superb shot beyond the reach of keeper David Harvey.
Carlisle were emboldened by their lead and kept at Leeds, with Train and Joe Laidlaw going close. Prudham soon recovered from a firm tackle by Giles which left him needing treatment, and it took Leeds time to make any serious threat, Jordan wasting one good chance after neat work between Bremner and Allan Clarke.
Armfield’s side set about the Blues with more rough tackling and, while the sides swapped chances, Carlisle’s threat remained. Frank Clarke came close after intercepting a backpass and Prudham drew a save from Harvey.
United’s interval lead was enthusiastically greeted by home supporters. Yet the need to manage their lead through the opening stages of the second half was observed for all of two minutes.
Leeds’ reply was cold and deflating, Jordan sneaking in on the blind side after Green had been deceived by Yorath’s long ball. This was now the visitors’ cue to ask Carlisle some more searching questions – with their play as well as their tackling, O’Neill having to be carried off after a Trevor Cherry challenge.
The midfielder returned to a game which was becoming more niggly rather than flowing, but Leeds’ quality was now imposing itself. Allan Ross managed to force a Duncan McKenzie shot against the woodwork and Green had to be at his best to foil Clarke jnr.
Things remained in the balance into the last ten minutes but, after the hard-working Prudham had been substituted to a warm ovation, Leeds put the knife in. Bremner’s cross was only partially cleared, and the former Nottingham Forest star McKenzie was first to it and forced it home from close range.
Only five minutes remained and Carlisle could not summon a decisive response. After all the earlier excitement, the result had a familiar tang, and it was now five defeats on the spin for the Blues.
“I do not know what is wrong,” said trainer Dick Young. “I have not managed to work it out yet. We played well, yes. But something is wrong in our play.”
The need to find the answers were ever more pressing.
Read last week’s 1974/75 feature HERE
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