Part three of our 25th anniversary mini-series counting down to the incredible events of May 8, 1999...

The day started like any other in the spring of 1999 – with nobody quite knowing what Carlisle United would be doing from one day to the next.

There was, at least, a sign of some emergency help in the goalkeeper loan market at last. Carlisle, having controversially sold regular No1 Tony Caig for £5,000 to Blackpool on deadline day, then seen loan replacement Richard Knight recalled by Derby County, needed a stopgap gloveman for the last three games of the campaign which would confirm their Football League fate.

April 22, 1999 brought a positive bulletin. Carlisle, the News & Star reported, would today name their replacement keeper for Saturday’s crucial home clash with Darlington.

“The club were this morning finalising plans to bring in a player on loan until the end of the season,” we said. Nigel Pearson, the manager, was about to fill the critical void in his team, United having received special dispensation from the Nationwide League to make an emergency signing.

“We are in the process of sorting everything out and there will definitely be a player coming in on loan,” said United chief executive Jonathan Fuller, who added that chief scout Martin Wilkinson had been working on the situation alongside Pearson.

Who would step up in Carlisle’s desperate hour of need? That afternoon, the answer was provided.

KEEPER IN TO HELP SAVE UNITED

By Amanda Little

Swindon Town reserve goalkeeper Jimmy Glass has answered Carlisle United’s SOS call.

Glass arrived at Brunton Park on loan today as an emergency replacement for Richard Knight.

The 25-year-old began his career as a YTS trainee with Crystal Palace and was understudy to England keeper Nigel Martyn...

Glass, our story continued, had made over 100 appearances for AFC Bournemouth before the 6ft 1in keeper moved to Swindon on a free transfer in the summer of 1998 under the Bosman ruling.

He had played in Swindon’s pre-season games but had been kept out of the side by Australian international Frank Talia.

United, it was said, had contacted every club in the Premiership and First Division once Knight had been recalled at short notice by Derby County. When that approach proved unsuccessful, Glass was recommended to them.

News and Star: Our headline on the signing of Jimmy Glass on April 22, 1999...Our headline on the signing of Jimmy Glass on April 22, 1999... (Image: News & Star)

He trained with his new team-mates on the morning of April 22. Fuller added: “He comes with good recommendations from many people in the game. We wanted to sign him at the latest today so he could have two days’ training.”

Relief, at least, that the Blues had someone to wear the gloves for their last three games. On the pitch, meanwhile, there was a boost with a midweek defeat for bottom side Scarborough, who burned one of their games in hand by losing 3-1 at home to Leyton Orient.

United remained three points above the relegation place, having played a game more than the Seadogs. Things couldn’t be much closer. Their new keeper would need to be ready...