Carlisle United’s supporters’ club London Branch was founded amid the Blues’ First Division adventure.
Their 50th anniversary celebrations, by contrast, took place on the day United fell to the bottom of the Football League.
But the disappointment of the team’s current predicament did not prevent the London Branch from marking their half-century on Saturday.
A special event in the capital was attended by scores of members plus some special guests.
Former United stars Jimmy Glass, Jabo Ibehre and John Halpin were among those helping the London Branch mark their milestone.
The club’s owners, the Piatak family, also attended the event which was held at Sutton Cricket Club.
The Piataks spoke to the audience at the event, which also saw Glass, Ibehre and Halpin take part in question-and-answer sessions hosted by John Bowman.
It was a celebration of the ever-growing group for exiled United fans which was created back in 1974.
“It’s a fantastic celebration and milestone,” London Branch chairman Dave Brown told the News & Star.
“To come from a small start in Earl’s Court to 360 members, and to have people like the Piatak family coming to join us for the evening, the likes of Jabo, Jimmy and John – it’s fantastic, and well deserved for all the members, who put in all the hours and hard work.”
The London Branch was formed 50 years ago after a meeting of Blues fans in the Finborough Arms, Earls Court.
It has since grown into a proactive organisation which has also supported the club with a number of fundraising drives.
And it is a home for fans from far and wide, not just those in the capital.
“We’re there for all exiles,” Brown added.
“We’ve just signed up some new members. We’ve had a Dutch guy who came along and said he is supporting Carlisle.
“He’s an AZ Alkmaar fan, he came to Carlisle in 2021, has been to Brunton Park once, he’s now moved to London and the AFC Wimbledon game [on Saturday] was his second game.
“He’s emailed us this morning and said, ‘Can I join the London Branch and play for the supporters’ team?’ And we said of course!
“We hope and think it will just keep growing.”
Brown said United’s owners have been very accommodating and supportive of the London Branch.
The Piataks agreed to meet the Branch early in their ownership and have attended further events.
“They’ve been approachable from the beginning,” Brown added.
“They are doing things that the football club has needed for a hundred years. The new training ground will be fantastic. How long have we needed that?”
The presence of goalscoring goalkeeper Glass at the anniversary celebrations was also special – and, again, far from his first encounter with the London Branch.
“Jimmy has played for the supporters’ team quite a few times. He scored a hat-trick when we played the Norwegian branch,” said Brown.
“He always plays up front…”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here