Part four of our weekly series charting Carlisle United's historic 1973/74 season...
There was a new look, a new kit, new signings and, after a highly eventful pre-season, finally a new campaign for Carlisle United to attack in August 1973. But first…some golf.
The final days before their 1973/74 Second Division season included some easing down after the hard yards of the previous weeks. “Tomorrow,” said manager Alan Ashman, “we will be taking a break by having a full day’s golf at Penrith.”
The “quiet” session on the fairways enabled some of Carlisle’s new faces to familiarise themselves with their team-mates. Frank Clarke, the £30,000 striker signed from Ipswich Town, joined Joe Laidlaw in an early pairing, the hope being they would blend as well on the pitch as they did on the course.
With match fitness deemed to be largely in the tank, United were in the last stages of their build-up to their opening game against Cardiff City at Brunton Park. It would be a contest between two sides who had their struggles the previous campaign, Jimmy Scoular’s Welsh side having just avoided relegation on goal average.
“After what happened last season, they will be looking for a much better start this time around,” warned Ashman as the day drew nearer.
There were other changes to the look of the Blues for the historic campaign. A new perimeter wall was in place for the opening game while Carlisle also revealed a new kit which would go on to become iconic.
United, reported the Evening News’s Ross Brewster, would take the field “in smart new red-white and blue shirts. The addition of red stripes and the fresh design is a break with the traditional club strip.”
It might not have quite been the fruit salad concoction of today, but United’s new jersey had people talking and set George ‘Twinkletoes’ Baxter, their fox-carrying mascot, the job of updating his own pre-match attire.
Carlisle also hoisted a new flag at Brunton Park in the new colour design and, while things were feeling bright ahead of the new season, a grittier reality was also reflected in pre-match reports.
Crowd violence was a growing concern across the country and the Blues had not been immune from it with a pre-season clash with Workington Reds delivering shocking scenes.
Ahead of Cardiff’s visit, extra police were drafted in as a warning to the “bovver boys” causing concern to the game. “Two police dogs were on duty at the ground as an extra deterrent to the troublemakers,” we reported, with officers taking up various vantage points to eye potential flashpoints.
“If anyone comes here looking for trouble we will stamp on them straight away,” declared a Carlisle police spokesman. It did not, in the event, turn into a free-for-all on the terraces and United’s focus was on the pitch, where their new striker immediately showed his class on an otherwise frustrating opening.
A crowd of 6,830 turned up to Brunton Park for a game which saw debuts for Bill Green and Frank Clarke. It took the latter very little time at all to announce himself as the striker Ashman had long been craving.
Carlisle, captained by Stan Ternent in the absence of Chris Balderstone, began the game and the 73/74 season briskly, forcing Cardiff back with some lively play, Clarke knitting their attacks together with some deft touches and the enterprising John Gorman an immediate threat down the left.
Ray Train and Peter Carr played their part in further early salvos and on nine minutes Carlisle got the start they wanted. Les O’Neill, who had overcome a leg injury to take his place in the side, carried the ball towards the box before Laidlaw fed it to Clarke.
Twenty yards out, the new boy lined up his shot and then crashed a left-footed attempt beyond the reach of Cardiff keeper Bill Irwin.
It could not have been a better introduction for the new recruit from Ipswich Town, and the only shame was that United could not fully build on this positive start.
Their defence did not come under siege exactly, though Green showed good judgment when facing his own goal as a testing cross came in. Cardiff had their share of play in midfield but seldom worried Ashman’s back line.
At the other end, Laidlaw and Clarke were combining promisingly and hopes were high of a second half that would consolidate two opening-day points.
Alas, it proved beyond the Blues. Cardiff regrouped and tested United harder through Willie Anderson and Derek Showers, who had keeper Allan Ross scrambling at a curled finish.
As Carlisle sat deeper, anxiety grew in the crowd and, with ten minutes to go, they lost their new talisman, Clarke going off with what appeared a groin problem. Bob Delgado took his place yet a defensive closing spell let Cardiff back in.
They earned a late penalty when Gil Reece went over in the box and, though the decision from referee Arthur Jones seemed generous, Gary Bell thumped home from the spot. 1-1 it finished, Carlisle’s landmark season up and…well, if not running, at least off at walking pace.
READ OUR PREVIOUS WEEKS' 1973/74 FEATURES
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