Carlisle 1971-1978

Carlisle 1971-1978

We moved to Carlisle in August 1971 settling into Eden Mount. 

I have a memory of Dad taking us to a midweek game soon after, Bolton Wanderers thereafter he was but an irregular attender at Brunton Park as he worked during the week and played golf on a Saturday. 

I had a similar pattern as I played at the weekend.

Me and my pals did however attend a few Carlisle games, mostly midweek and cup tie replays. Liverpool and Spurs come to mind. 

Liverpool in the FA Cup at Anfield; we didn’t go as either we had bought a new Toshiba Whirler the week before or Dad had a gold tie on. My pals went and Pete Tuer got a doing, had his scarf on his wrist and got dragged down an alleyway. ‘couldn’t get it off’. Jes laughed. 

Scotland games of course took precedent, 

The first game was the midweek Portugal Euro Qualifier; Scotland vs Portugal. Tommy Docherty’s first game. He was quoted as having Jimmy Johnstone scratching the dressing room door to get at them’. Bob Wilson was making his debut, Eddie Colquhoun was Centre half. The guy beside us confided in us loudly. ‘ Just what we needed a big centre half and a goalie with a safe pair of hands’.

We were in the North ( Big Enclosure ), we won 2-1, scorers John O’Hare and Archie Gemmell. 58,612 turned up. 

The Carlisle Scotland 70s adventure started and want a decade it was indeed. We rarely missed a game, 2 I can think of a Peru 1972 2-0 win friendly which I can only think we may have been there and I have no knowledge. The 5-0 England 1973 Centenary International grubbing was played on a freezing February Wednesday and thereafter the Husband’s were an ever present that momentous decade. Every Scotland game at home and some away.

A disastrous 1-0 1972 England defeat was a really poor result, the game was a battle and we lost. Dreadfull. Awful. 

I was at the Brazil friendly, losing 1-0 to a Derek Johnstone own goal with Jes. The year was 1973 and the greatest night of my possibly our Scotland adventure took place in September

Following Scotland would never be the same again..