THIS column is inspired by a former colleague and football fan.

Actually, before I carry on, I must tell you that colleague Pamela’s partner is fanatic Liverpool fan.

Luckily, their elder son supports Real Madrid for some reason – and I bet he was gloating this week when his team thrashed his dad’s.

By the way, I have, in that sentence, given you my total knowledge of football!

Anyway, said Pamela went to the football museum in Manchester recently and was interested to see a bay given over to Workington. The board made me wonder how well Carlisle fans know their club.

See if you can answer these:

Why was Carlisle United formed and when was its first match?

What was the club’s greatest win and its greatest loss?

Who scored the most goals and who made the most appearances?

This isn’t the quiz but I seem to remember reading or hearing about a United goal keeper who once scored a goal himself. Is that true and who was he? Was it even a Carlisle United goalkeeper we are talking about here?

I am suddenly realising I know more about football than I think.

I know Bill Shankly was a Scot, I think, who managed Liverpool. This information was gained when I stayed at the Shankly hotel in Liverpool! But did he coach United?

Enough of my vast football knowledge... just enjoy these photos.

My favourite is the one taken in 1970 which sees Carlisle United goal keeper Alan Ross who looks as though he has taken flight. An amazing photo.

So is the more recent one of Joe Fryer, taken by Barbara Abbot.

There are photos of happy fans just enjoying the game. There is also one photo of police escorting fans to the grounds. That reminds you of the uglier side of football – the hooliganism, racism, vandalism and aggression.

But, and quite rightly, most of these photos show people enjoying what they call the beautiful game.

While some of us (me) will never understand the difference between beautiful and boring, there is no doubt that millions of people worldwide love the game.

By the way, I used to have a poster of Georgie Best in my bedroom as a teenager, and I like David Beckham and Marcus Rashford – and I say I am not an expert.