Part 14 of our weekly 50th anniversary series charting the events of Carlisle United’s 1974/75 top-flight season.
Even as they played among the high-rollers in the First Division, nobody would particularly argue that Carlisle United were in the money.
One of their players was, however. Away from the pitch, one of midfielder Les O’Neill’s latest tasks was to make a trip to a Carlisle bank to publicise some hot new technology.
The Blues’ dynamo was duly photographed in Lloyds being instructed in how to operate the bank’s "new computerised cash dispenser".
“Just by slipping his card into the dispenser and tapping out the account number on the keyboard, Les was able to select up to £20,” our report in October 1974 read.
The First Division goalscorer was more than pleased with the new system, declaring it “smashing”.
If only accessing goals, and points, could come so easily to United during the autumn. Alan Ashman’s side were now preparing for a trip to Sheffield United, where they would seek to bounce back from the previous weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Coventry City.
Carlisle were trying to cling on to the good feelings of their 3-0 thrashing of Derby County the week before, while manager Ashman was continuing efforts to add to his squad. One target in particular was materialising.
“I have been in touch with the player’s club and have started negotiations,” Ashman said. “The club are agreeable. Now it is up to the player to phone me and then I can get down to trying to bring him here.”
Ashman hoped for better success with the unnamed player than he had experienced with a failed approach for Leeds United midfielder John McGovern, while the Blues boss had also made a trip to Glasgow to watch Partick Thistle’s 5-3 win over Clyde to scout potential talent.
The attempt to strengthen the Carlisle squad came as Tot Winstanley started a loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion, the defender performing well on his debut ahead of a mooted £20,000 move.
These moves took place at a time United’s First Division direction was in the balance. They were now 14th in the 22-club table, although still just four points from fifth. Ashman was adamant that only one side – Stoke City – had outplayed the Blues so far, and at Bramall Lane they would look to consolidate another good performance.
O’Neill was on the way back from injury, after missing the previous five games, and returned to full training along with Frank Clarke. Joe Laidlaw and Allan Ross were also on the mend after injuries but would not be ready to return in Sheffield.
In the event, nor was O’Neill, as United travelled to south Yorkshire in hope…only for that hope to be sliced by the Blades. The home side, managed by the former Workington Reds player-manager Ken Furphy, were given plenty of problems by an enterprising Carlisle side but, as ever, the Blues’ own knife was blunt.
Hugh McIlmoyle came back into the United side at the expense of Mike Barry, and a bright start by Carlisle saw Dennis Martin superbly denied by a fingertip save from keeper Jim Brown. At the other end, Blues No1 Tom Clarke showed good anticipation to deny Tony Field.
It was an even contest but a three-minute spell then cost Carlisle badly. On the quarter-hour mark, keeper Clarke spilled a cross from Bill Dearden and Field took full advantage, pouncing to score from close range.
United were wounded – and Sheffield United sped forward again soon afterwards to grab another. Field was again the marksman, the home winger beating Clarke to Dearden’s prodded pass to make it 2-0.
That was not the end of the first-half drama, since Carlisle then issued a response. By the 24th minute they had pulled one back and it arrived from the most famous goalscoring head of all when it came to United’s history.
It was also, in the end, a poignant goal too, as McIlmoyle rose majestically to head home Peter Carr’s cross. It would prove the great centre-forward’s last-ever strike for the Blues.
In terms of this game, Carlisle and their legendary Scot remained on the hunt for more, while Clarke made some sharp saves to prevent Furphy’s hosts from pulling clear again. Martin was denied at close quarters for Carlisle before half-time then the second half continued at a similarly rapid pace.
Yet it did not bring what the Blues were looking for. Martin remained at the heart of Carlisle’s enterprising work but Frank Clarke and McIlmoyle could not profit from his creativity, while Ray Train also saw a powerful shot kept out by the home keeper.
By the time Martin struck an attempt into the body of substitute Bobby Owen, Clarke blazing the rebound over a vacant net, it was clear that Carlisle’s profligacy was going to cost them anything at all. It duly finished 2-1, and consecutive defeats left them looking over their shoulders, rather than the other way in the top flight.
The fall-out from the game also saw full-back Carr pay a visit to the manager’s office. The defender confessed that he had been “stupid” to “let the team down” with a tackle that saw him booked for the second consecutive game at Bramall Lane.
“It was entirely my fault. I cannot say I was harshly treated,” Carr said, concerned about the implications of future suspension. Carlisle certainly needed all their main men available for the hard battles ahead. They were off to the capital next.
Read last week's 1974/75 feature HERE
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