Carlisle United had reached the halfway point of their First Division adventure with everything still up for grabs. The Blues, underdogs from day one, were third bottom after 21 games.
Could they perform well enough over the home straight to stay up?
The recent, hot-tempered 2-1 victory over Arsenal had given a much-needed shot of hope, but many tough tests lie in wait for Alan Ashman’s side. In terms of their prospects, the Evening News & Star canvassed the views of a number of leading football figures, many of whom backed the Blues.
Sunderland boss Bob Stokoe said he “sincerely” hoped his former club would survive. “The First Division is very hard, but Carlisle is a very special club with exceptional qualities of character running through it,” he said. “That will help them.”
Leeds United’s Jimmy Armfield was also optimistic for the Cumbrians. “I sincerely believe that they will stay up. They don’t just have a good manager, they have a very good manager. There is a constant application to the game from every one of their players. That counts a lot.”
Newcastle United skipper Frank Clark was more measured in his view, noting Carlisle’s goalscoring struggles despite their good team spirit and organisation. “On balance I think that they will stay up IF they don’t get injuries. They have a very small squad.”
The bid to make good on many of these forecasts would resume with a home clash with Chelsea: the opposition when United broke so memorably onto the top-flight scene in August. The build-up saw promising news on midfield men Mike Barry and Ray Train, who suffered knocks against Arsenal.
Mike Barry had kicked the cigarettes in a bid to boost his fitnessMike Barry had kicked the cigarettes in a bid to boost his fitness (Image: PA)
Both, it was reported, were back in training and this was encouraging indeed for Ashman after fine performances from the pair against the Gunners, while keeper Allan Ross referred back to the rough nature of the Arsenal meeting in his regular column. “Brian Kidd was in a class of his own at the bare-knuckle event,” wrote the Scot...
Barry’s progress in particular was heartening, after an intermittent earlier spell at Brunton Park. The 21-year-old had been determined to shape up since then, and said of his recent time with Carlisle after injury: “I was smoking 40 cigarettes a day and overweight. At training I tried to hide my lack of fitness from the coaches and manager…but after 20 minutes my lungs were heaving in pain.”
The midfielder said he had, in the five weeks since then, kicked the cigarettes and modified his diet. In other parts of the squad, though, things were still unsettled. Forward Joe Laidlaw, left out of the side for the previous four games, submitted a transfer request to Ashman and chairman George Sheffield – with fellow frontman Bobby Owen also asking for a move.
These requests would be considered at a board meeting the following week. First, it was the matter of taking on Chelsea, who were now managed by Barrow-born Ron Suart, who had stepped up after the October sacking of Dave Sexton. The Londoners, despite some significant transfer spending, were also in the lower reaches of the table and it appeared a vital mid-season clash in terms of jockeying for position.
John Hollins was Chelsea's dangerman at Brunton ParkJohn Hollins was Chelsea's dangerman at Brunton Park (Image: PA)
Perhaps predictably, neither side were able to start the game securely, and three goals were scored inside the first 22 minutes. After a breakneck opening, Chelsea struck first, Micky Droy’s header reaching John Hollins, who beat Ross with a chip.
United sought to recover from the third-minute blow, with Train testing keeper John Phillips from a corner, Barry going close – and then Carlisle equalising. Dennis Martin was the man to get the goal, pouncing to fire a shot through the defence and past Phillips.
Martin appeared on vibrant form but soon the comeback task was on again as Chelsea scored a second time. Bill Green’s clearance from a David Hay free-kick only fell to Hollins, who accepted the chance from 12 yards out.
United then entered a world of frustration in their bid to fight back again. Watched by Scotland manager Willie Ormond, who was scouting £200,000 man Hay but also rumoured to be checking out Carlisle’s John Gorman and Martin, were denied on the line when Eddie Prudham and Green tried to capitalise on a scramble, while Frank Clarke was thwarted by a Droy challenge.
In the second half, Carlisle made regular inroads but found no way past an inspired goalkeeper. Phillips saved from Clarke soon after the break, Train and Barry went close, and then the visiting No1 produced a superb save to deny Train, shortly after Chris Balderstone had come on for Prudham when the young striker had been injured by a Hay tackle.
Frank Clarke is denied by Chelsea's Micky DroyFrank Clarke is denied by Chelsea's Micky Droy (Image: News & Star)
Defensively, United were sound, Bobby Parker showing his trademark timing to see off Chelsea raids, while Gorman and Les O’Neill came close again for United. A brave save by Ross kept the deficit to one but when Phillips once more denied O’Neill, the game was up.
A 2-1 defeat, in front of 12,854 fans, left United second bottom, aggrieved that their efforts had counted for nothing, but another cold reminder having been served about the ruthless reality of top-flight football. Prudham was due for a doctor’s examination on his injured knee, and next for Carlisle it was a trip to Everton.
Another interlude was also coming. The FA Cup third round draw was made on the weekend of the Chelsea game, and when Carlisle’s number was pulled out of the hat, it was for an away trip: to Preston North End, managed by the great Bobby Charlton.
Read last week’s 1974/75 feature HERE