This day 1974

[erimus74]

20th August Boro 0 Carlilse 2

Boro, who had played Carlisle earlier in the month losing 1-0 at home in the preliminary rounds of the texaco cup, were playing their 1st top flight home league game since playing Sunderland in April 1954 when Carlisle, who also won promotion from the 2nd division with the Boro finishing 3rd & a massive, 16 points behind us, were our visitors to Ayresome Park.

Carlisle United were playing in their 1st & only season in the top flight & after a great win over Chelsea on the opening day of the season were feeling confident going in to this game 

Big Jack made just the one change from his team, who also won their opening fixture, winning at Birmingham City 3-0, he replaced Brian Taylor, dropping Willie Maddren, wearing the No6 shirt, alongside Stuey Boam & brought in Graeme Souness, wearing his famous No4 shirt, that backfired Jack

History repeated itself, 12 months previous the Boro lost their opening home fixture 2-0 to Fulham, this time the same score to Carlisle
Carlisle after 2 league games were top of the 1st divison
Played 2, won 2, scoring 4 goals & conceding zeeo goals, quite remarkable

A few choice words will have been said by Jack as the players slowly walked in to the home dressing room

Big Jacks team

Jim Paltt
John Craggs
Frank Spraggon
Graeme Souness
Stuey Boam
Willie Maddren
Bobby Murdoch
David Mills
John Hickton - Malcolm Smith
Alan Foggon
David Armstrong

Attendance  - 28,719