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Carlisle are currently stuck to the bottom of League Two, the lowest of 4 tiers of Premier League and Football League divisions. This is very far from what they experienced in 1974/75 season, when they after three games in the old 1st division, were at the very top. But it would not last, as the season became a heavy struggle, ending in relegation, despite a strong 0-0 draw away to league winner Derby County in their last ever game at the highest level.
Mark Hughes was recently appointed their new manager, hopefully getting the man they need to get out of the relegation zone, having the potential to do get out, but the start has not been the best, two defeats in two attempts.
Looking far back to that only season in the top flight, you like to look at in perspective, as the club mainly had a life in the 2nd tier as we all know as the old 2nd division, being in there from 1965 to 1974, and returning from the top flight in 1975, before getting relegated in 1977. Carlisle returned to the 2nd tier in 1982 staying up until 1986. They have since been flying up, down and between the 3rd and 4th tier.
Bobby Parker and Hugh McIlmoyle were two signings done before that one top flight season. Parker joining from Coventry, McImoyle coming back for his 2nd spell, moving down from Morton in Scotland. Both players had a good record, Parker as a young wonder with the Sky Blues and England youth. Parker became a lendary player at the club, playing 375 league games, staying until 1984. McIlmoyle did get a statue of himself outside the ground, Brunton Park.
Bill Green, Paul Gorman and Ray Train were three players that moved on from Carlisle and later had impressive careers, building on that one special season with Carlisle United. Green moved to West Ham and played in the 1976 European Cup Winners Cup final vs. Anderlecht. Paul Gorman signing for Spurs, playing alongside Glenn Hoddle, Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa. Later at Tampa Bay Rowdies in company with Frank Worthington and Rodney Marsh. Ray Train becoming something of a promotion specialist being at Sunderland, Bolton and Watford, as they all gained promotion to the top flight.
Bobby Owen, Joe Laidlaw, Les O’Neill and Frank Clarke were other players to notice, not to forget Chris Balderstein. They all had a bit of history, all being proven and well respected. Bobby Owen had prevously played for Man City, Frank Clarke at Ipswich and Les O’Neill having his early years with Newcastle.
Carlisle were relagated as the bottom team in 1974-75, five points below safety, going down together with Luton and Chelsea. A very special season, but still one not to repeat as Mark Hughes is brought in 50 years later to try to avoid
🤝 Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Hughes as the club’s new head coach.
Read more. ⤵️
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) February 6, 2025
As the team today have their brightest star in the new manager, we have looked back to find some fame around the place, of course never missing Stan Bowles, as he in special circumstances told his story about ending up at Brunton Park, being signed from Crewe for a fee of just £12.000, to move on a year later to Queens Park Rangers for £112.000. Stan Bowles becoming an England international and star player at the highest level.
The next player to mention is Peter Beardsley, starting his career with Carlisle, playing alongside one of the 1974-75 heroes, Bobby Parker in his early days. Beardsley as we all know became a full England international having great success at Newcastle and Liverpool. Beardsley played 59 times for England and scored 9 goals. He also one of very few to have played for both Man City and Man Utd, as well as Everton and Liverpool.
Clive Allen who spent most of years in football playing for London based clubs, made his final appearances in league football with Carlisle. Allen played 3 league games for Carlisle in 1995. He had his best years as a top flight attacker with Spurs, scoring 60 goals in 105 league appearances. He has won 5 England caps.
Former FA Cup winner for West Ham, goalkeeper Mervyn Day, also turned out for Carlisle, spending his last years in the game at Brunton Park, adding up 16 league appearances in 1993-94 season. Matty Fryatt who played for Hull City in the Premier League, is also a former Carlisle player, being on loan in 2003-04 season, playing 10 games on loan from Walsall.
UEFA Cup winner and England international Eric Gates is another former great, most known for his years at Ipswich, who has also turned out for Carlisle. A total of 38 league appearances from 1990 to 1991. Ian Harte who played for Leeds and Ireland, made a move to Carlisle in 2009, staying for a year, playing 52 league games and scoring 19 goals.
Matt Jansen who we remember from his days at Blackburn, started his career with Carlisle. The forward scored 10 goals in 42 games from 1995 to 1998 while playing for Carlisle. Alan Shoulder is also one to recognize, being a player at Newcastle for a number of seasons, moving to Brunton Park in 1982, playing 112 league games, scoring 32 goals.
Billy Hughes and Keith Robson are two other players who have been at Carlisle, but known for much more exotic destinations. Hughes a former FA Cup winner with Sunderland from that 1973 final, defeating Leeds 1-0, Robson playing for West Ham in the 1976 European Cup Winners Cup final.
Bob Hatton, mostly known for his time with Birmingham is also a former Carlisle player. Hatton played at Brunton Park from 1969 to 1971, scoring 36 goals in 93 league games.
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