If the demand was for more fight in order to lift Carlisle United’s First Division hopes, then the answer was delivered in all respects when Arsenal came to town in early December.
The visit of Bertie Mee’s Gunners came amid a six-game losing streak which had pointed Alan Ashman’s Blues towards the bottom of the top-flight. Arsenal were not particularly high-flying performers themselves but Carlisle’s need was chronic.
What unfolded at Brunton Park certainly suggested there was a battling spirit about the Blues, to say the least.
Carlisle, having lost six games in just over a month, were facing a double-header against London opposition, with Chelsea also due to visit after the Arsenal clash. “We need the crowd’s help,” the club announced. “We must have every assistance to get two wins.”
Ashman also sought the assistance of his squad in terms of John Gorman’s precarious fitness. The left-back, who was being talked about in some circles as a future Scotland international, had suffered a recurrence of a groin injury and was being rested in the hope he would make it to face Arsenal.
Another consideration came on the disciplinary front. Recent arrival Eddie Prudham was the subject of a letter from the Scottish Football Association regarding his sending-off for former club Partick Thistle, shortly before his move to Brunton Park.
After weighing up the matter, which concerned post-match comments the young striker had allegedly made to a referee – Prudham decided to appeal. “I’ll be with Eddie at the hearing,” Ashman said. “Although I can’t talk specifically about what happened, I’ve spoken at length to him and I’ll be giving weight to his appeal.”
In the meantime, the Arsenal game proved a double attraction given that United opted to start selling tickets for their Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United on the same day. Special booths were set up, the move intended to benefit “our fans who travel considerable distances to home matches,” according to secretary David Dent.
World Cup winner Alan Ball was in the Arsenal side at Brunton ParkWorld Cup winner Alan Ball was in the Arsenal side at Brunton Park (Image: PA)
In terms of the Gunners game, there was good news on Gorman’s fitness as United lined up against an Arsenal team fielding £200,000 midfielder Alex Cropley for the first time since his move from Hibernian, as well as 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball.
A 12,926 crowd, lower than hoped for, was inside Brunton Park for the action, and it turned out to be one of those defiant Carlisle days which was much-needed, to say the least, in terms of their top-flight prospects – as well as one which went up like a tinderbox eventually.
Arsenal came into it without Charlie George, while Liam Brady was only on the bench – and Carlisle made an enterprising start. Terry Mancini had to deny Prudham a good early chance, and United posed most of the questions early on.
Although Brian Kidd passed up a Gunners chance on the break, Carlisle remained on top and, in the 14th minute, they opened the scoring. It was a landmark moment for Prudham, who grabbed his first Blues goal when he rose in a busy penalty area to head home Gorman’s cross.
United’s fans were enlivened by the opener and the players continued in the same positive vein. Les O’Neill and Frank Clarke were in the mix of further attacks while Mike Barry’s midfield performance was also attracting plaudits.
United keep the pressure on Arsenal under the Brunton Park floodlightsUnited keep the pressure on Arsenal under the Brunton Park floodlights (Image: News & Star)
Ball went close in response but Prudham, denied by visiting keeper Jimmy Rimmer’s fingertips, kept United on the front foot until half-time, Arsenal’s frustration lapping over into some rough challenges.
The second half was as eagerly contested yet United applied enough pressure to get further in front by the 65th minute, and this was the point things boiled over. Dennis Martin was fouled near the byline and, with everyone expecting a cross from the resulting free-kick, Martin instead fired a low shot which was ruled to have crossed the line before Rimmer scooped it out.
Arsenal were incensed by the awarding of the goal and protested to referee Eric Garner to no avail. A minute later, things then truly kicked off; Kidd clashing with Ray Train and, as they wrestled on the ground, players from both sides rushed in, with scuffling and skirmishes resulting, boots and fists flying.
The angry scenes saw police come onto the pitch to break up the fighting yet, when play eventually resumed, it did so without any of the protagonists having even been booked.
Police had to intervene as players clashedPolice had to intervene as players clashed (Image: News & Star)
Arsenal then staged a late raid to get back in the game, United captain Bill Green unable to cut out a ball which Kidd converted. This was the cue for some desperate last-ditch stuff as Mee’s side looked for an equaliser, yet Carlisle stood firm. Pat Rice, the visiting defender, was yellow-carded for comments to a linesman, while Ross took the sting out of some crosses.
Kidd found himself on the receiving end of pantomime boos any time he received the ball, and that was the closing soundtrack to United’s 2-1 win. The aftermath brought reports of the great ‘Brunton brawl’ and much criticism of Arsenal and their rough-house tactics.
“The great name of Arsenal was almost certainly buried for me,” declared Evening News & Star letter-writer Bryan Driffield. “Let us hope we never see this sort of thing again at Brunton Park.”
If many agreed, they would make an exception for the result, for United needed a great deal more of those…
Read last week’s 1974/75 feature HERE