This is no exception. Mick Mitchell made his name with his first book, Life with Carlisle United, which was published in 1995. Demand for his second effort was so great that it sold out in Carlisle within a day. But if you do get your hands on a copy from the second print run (still on sale in WH Smith) then it's an essential addition to the CUFC collection. Definitely aimed at the older fan, Legends of Carlisle United selects iconic players and backroom staff from the 50s, 60s and 70s and profiles each one as well as including interviews that Mick conducted over the past couple of years. His interview with the late Allan Ross is especially moving as it was conducted just weeks before his untimely death in November 1999. Rossy of course holds the appearance record for United, a total (466) that is unlikely to be beaten by any modern player where contracts are flexible and movement is much more common. Ross even made one outfield appearance as a substitute - even more unlikely to be repeated in the current era although Messrs Glass and Keen have both made their mark in that respect! Hughie McIlmoyle is regarded as probably the greatest striker ever to grace the blue and white of United. He had three relatively short stints at Brunton Park but holds pride of place for Mick as his childhood hero, as well as with many other fans in their 40s/50s!! The young Hughie was a rising star with Leicester City when he played in the 1961 Cup Final against double-winning Tottenham Hotspur. A short-lived switch to Rotherham ended when 'Mac the Knife' arrived in Cumbria in 1963 and stayed until late '64 when he was spirited away to play for Wolves. He returned in '67 and stayed until the autumn of '69, just missing out on the League Cup semi-final epic with West Brom after his reluctant switch to Middlesbrough. After that he moved to Preston (Hughie - how could you?) and Greenock Morton before returning for one last hurrah in the First Division season of 74-75. Although Jimmy 'Wham' Whitehouse and Alan Ashman scored more post-war goals for the Cumbrians, Hughie was regarded as the most complete forward of the lot. He netted an incredible 39 league goals in the 63-64 campaign, when Carlisle were top scorers in the entire Football League with 113. Fans recall his goalscoring instincts, which were straight out of the top drawer. His finishing ability was on a par with many of today's greats and it remains a bit of a mystery why he didn't play for Scotland. Having to contend with compatriots such as Denis Law, Jim Baxter and Bobby Lennox can't have made it easy, though. Chris Balderstone was another great servant of the club who played for United between 1965 and 1975. His decade at Brunton Park saw them rise up to the First Division and Chris combined playing with turning out for Leicestershire at first-class cricket. In '76, after he had left United, he played two test matches for England against the West Indies. Later 'Baldy' became a first-class umpire and when he died unexpectedly in March 2000 he was mourned widely throughout the worlds of cricket and football. Balderstone is remembered in the book as a consummate professional, a man who combined exceptional skill with a chivalry rarely seen these days in the world of sport. If he lacked a yard of pace on the football pitch that ultimately prevented him becoming a top-drawer attraction, he made up for it at cricket where his perseverence paid off with international recognition at an age when a lot of players are thinking of retirement. So much for the players. Mick ensures that the two greatest off-field contributors to United's glory days are also remembered. Alan Ashman and Dick Young were the 'dream team' that built the great 'push and run' sides of the 60s and 70s. Ashman was quite a hard taskmaster who didn't always get on with all the players but he certainly had their respect. He also had a record both at Carlisle and at West Brom to die for. He is interviewed by Mick and in many ways his answers provide the most interest for me. Young, who was loved and admired by all the players with whom he worked, was a great servant of the club for over 20 years. It's fair to say something was lost forever at Brunton Park on the day he passed away in 1989. Mick doesn't neglect the other members of United's "boot room" of that era. Hughie Neil and Herbert Nicholson also warrant chapters dedicated to their memory. It's just a pity that so many of these true United 'greats' are no longer with us. The book's great strength is as much in its photographic and documentary record as the actual writing and I'm sure even Mick would agree here. He was allowed access to personal collections and scrapbooks and some of the stuff in the book has never been seen before. Quite fascinating, and I have to say, there are some real fashion victims lurking within its pages! Stan Ternent in nylon slacks would scare people off at the best of times! A complete line-up of United's squad circa 1974 in Pringle pullovers is a living nightmare in polyester. It's also amazing to see how hair suddenly grew out of nowhere after about 1970. Players who had earlier looked like brylcreemed RAF recruits suddenly took on the appearance of Frank Zappa! Even Allan Ross - well, nearly. As ever with such works, the great attraction lies in its appreciation of CUFC's finest players and managers. If our recent history had lived up to the period when Ashman, Young, Balderstone, Ross and co were strutting their stuff then this sort of publication would probably not have quite the same impact. But who knows? In a few decades time, there might yet be another great United side to write about. Legends of Carlisle United, by Mick Mitchell, is available from WH Smith priced at £14.99 |
