Part two of our weekly series charting Carlisle United's historic 1973/74 season...
After the controversies and restlessness of their early pre-season days, there must have been a degree of relief when football returned firmly to the agenda for Carlisle United ahead of 1973/4.
That said, their first pre-season friendly did not entirely fit that description given the nature of some of the tackles going in at Berwick Rangers, as well as the fact one player was sent off in the game.
Wednesday, August 8 was the occasion of Carlisle’s first game since their 72/73 Second Division campaign had come to an end with a fifth-bottom finish. It was an auspicious occasion in some respects given that it marked a debut for summer signing and future captain Bill Green in their defence.
The former Hartlepool United man displayed, according to Evening News & Star reporter Dave Shaw, “considerable authority” in his first outing, even in a performance which was not, in general, a delightful spectacle.
United were disjointed – perhaps expected in a pre-season opener – yet defensively solid. Green was commanding at the back while Joe Laidlaw’s power and drive up front was a regular issue for their Scottish Second Division opponents.
Berwick included winger Billy Armstrong, who had been on trial at Carlisle the previous season, and he troubled them with his trickery. United, though, created the better chances, Green hitting the post with one of them, before Bobby Owen struck the only goal in the 56th minute.
He collected a well-flighted Laidlaw ball on his chest before driving past the home keeper, and that nipped thoughts of a Berwick victory in the bud.
It did not, though, end the competitive nature of things. Both Green and midfielder Ray Train were booked for what reporter Shaw described as “cumbersome fouls” while Berwick substitute defender Gordon Haig was sent off in the closing seconds for kicking Mike McCartney.
Carlisle’s pre-season opener as they prepared to embark upon 1973/4 was not a sparkling occasion, and their need for further firepower remained apparent, yet they were off and running in terms of their build-up, at a time other off-field matters were rumbling on.
United remained without Chris Balderstone, who was the subject of controversy after missing the return to pre-season due to his cricket commitments with Leicestershire.
There was also an ongoing contract dispute involving a number of their first-team squad. Manager Alan Ashman offered an update as the summer unfolded, stressing: “I have told them there can be no changes in the contracts.
“We have offered improved contracts within the Government’s pound and four per cent restrictions, and there can be no changes now.”
Amid the stand-off there was uncertainty over Laidlaw’s future, as he held talks with Ashman about his future at the club and reportedly submitted a transfer request, and so it was with some relief that the Blues eventually announced that most of the other “rebels” had finally agreed terms, dousing the risk of serious friction the closer Carlisle got to the August 25 league kick-off.
Ashman remained on the hunt for a new striker, and told the Evening News & Star that he was on his travels to watch a potential signing, “but he would not reveal where.”
Other business in early August concerned the structure of the Blues in other respects.
Principally, the erection of a new thick, reinforced concrete boundary wall at Brunton Park around the pitch, something which was costing the club £5,000 and which set them a race against time in order to have things ready for the new campaign.
“We have two weeks left to get it finished,” said secretary David Dent. “The job is well past the halfway stage now. It will be completed by the start of the season.”
As things progressed on these fronts, there were also opportunities for some other hopefuls around the Carlisle scene. Aside from first-team friendlies, the Blues had arranged two further pre-season games, against Penrith and Hawick.
“We will field a United XI,” said Ashman. “I shall include some professionals in the team, but the matches are basically for our amateurs.”
As for one of Carlisle’s finest pros, meanwhile, there was a pre-season reward for goalkeeping great Allan Ross. He was presented with a set of golf clubs to mark his service with the club, in a ceremony attended by Ashman, trainer Dick Young and former bosses Bob Stokoe and Ian MacFarlane.
Before long, it would be at the other end of the side where Ashman would eventually land another king of clubs…
To read Part 1 of our 1973/74 series click HERE
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here