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Spurs' complete record v Carlisle
Season Comp. H/A Result Scorer(s)
1970-71 FAC(3) A W 3-2 Peters, Gilzean, Neighbour
1971-72 FAC(3) H D 1-1 Gilzean
1971-72 FAC(3R) A W 3-1 Gilzean, Chivers (2)
1974-75 Div 1 A L 1-0 -
1974-75 Div 1 H D 1-1 Chivers
1997-98 FLC(R2-1)H W 3-2 Fenn, Fox, Mahorn
1997-98 FLC(R2-2)A W 2-0 Ginola, Armstrong
A home game for the "Cumbrian Spurs"
Over my years of travelling up and down the country and running the "Spurs Odyssey" web site, I have been lucky enough to meet Spurs fans from many places. One of these loyal bands of supporters can be found in the far north-west of England, and as a group are proud to be known as "The Cumbrian Spurs". Whilst they often make the 6 hour journey down to White Hart Lane, any game played in the North is usually visited by a good number of this group. Tomorrow's game at Brunton Park, Carlisle is real manna from Heaven for these local Spurs fans, and I'll be meeting up with them before the game!
When Spurs last met Carlisle in what was then called the Coca-Cola Cup in September, 1997, Danny Cadmarteri was an up and coming youngster scoring his first senior goal for Everton in a 5-0 win against Scunthorpe (played on 1st October, 1997). Cadamarteri had actually made his Premier League debut in May 1997 as a 17 year old, and went on to make 92 full league appearances for the club in a period when he also won three England under-21 caps. He played in the same Everton side as the late Gary Speed.
Due to his chequered personal circumstances, Cadamarteri was allowed to leave Everton, and his football career became one of some decline. The clubs he has spent most time with were Bradford and Huddersfield. Now, approaching 33 years of age, and after Huddersfield manager Simon Grayson decided not to renew his contract, Cadamarteri finds himself at League One Carlisle. He has already scored a couple of goals, one of which was a penalty against relegated Coventry on Saturday.
Spurs' first leg game against Carlisle at White Hart Lane on Wednesday 17th September, 1997 was not an auspicious one. Many fans were already clamouring for Gerry Francis to be sacked, after they had lost three of their first 6 games, in which they had only managed to score a goal in three of those matches. They had just lost 3-0 at Filbert Street in a miserable performance against Leicester. Spurs would go on to have a relegation battle over the course of the season. Francis would go, and "hard werk" Gross would arrive. Carlisle had been relegated to the bottom tier of the Football League, and Spurs were expected to give their lowly visitors a good hiding.
It didn't go that way. Neale Fenn did give Spurs a first minute lead, but Couzens equalized with a volley in the 40th minute, and a former Portsmouth player Aspinall won a race against Ian Walker to get the vital touch on a long clearance. Spurs were losing at half-time and the "We want Francis out" chants rang out. Second half goals by Ruel Fox and Paul Mahorn gave Spurs the lead, but little honour. Spurs did run out 2-0 winners in the second leg at Carlisle, thanks to a 43rd minute penalty converted by David Ginola, and Chris Armstrong's 51st minute goal. We lost at home in the next round 2-1 to Derby, thanks partly to Paulo Wanchope's involuntary deflection of the ball with his backside!
As you can see from the short list above, there have been very few meetings between the two clubs down the years. The only season in which we met in the league was in the 1974-75 season, when Carlisle spent their one season in the top tier. The "Blues" had won consecutive promotions from the old division four and division three in the 60s, then took a few years to make the final climb to the top.
There is bound to be a reference in tomorrow night's programme to Carlisle's one and only victory over Spurs. It was the third game of the season, won 1-0 by Carlisle, thanks to a penalty scored by midfielder Chris Balderstone, who also played cricket professionally. Carlisle went top of the league thanks to that penalty.
Carlisle were managed by Alan Ashman, who had been in charge at West Brom when they won the 1968 FA Cup Final with that famous Jeff Astle goal against Everton. Spurs, of course, were still managed by the great Bill Nicholson, but this was a sad spell for Bill, who decided to call it a day a few weeks later. We lost our first four games that season, and only managed to even score in the fourth. This was the side that had only lost the UEFA Cup Final in May. It was a Spurs side that included Pat Jennings, Phil Beal, Mike England, Ralph Coates, Steve Perryman and Martin Peters.
We couldn't even win the home match in October (played in front of only 12,823 people), when Chivers was in the team and scored. By now Terry Neill had somehow been appointed as Spurs' manager, and whilst Carlisle were eventually relegated (finishing bottom), Spurs had a famous relegation-escaping win over Leeds, when Neill employed the services of hynotist Romark to influence the players!
It hasn't escaped my notice that in the last two seasons that Spurs played Carlisle, they had battles against relegation. That is history, and now things are different!
Carlisle have spent the last quarter of a century in the lower tiers of the Football League, and even had to spend one year in the Conference in 2004-05. Now they have been in League One for the last 6 seasons. On-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass won fame at Carlisle at the end of the 1998-99 season, when he scored the added time winner to keep Carlisle in the league in a game they had to win.
Players who have appeared for both Carlisle and Spurs include John Gorman, and Clive Allen. Clive ended his playing career at Brunton Park in September, 1995, playing just a handful of games, whilst John Gorman's career began at Carlisle in 1970-71. He had seven seasons in Cumbria, before he was signed for Spurs in 1976. Ben Alnwick had a loan spell at Carlisle in 2008-09, during which he played 8 games and conceded 19 goals.
Former Spurs reserve John Sutton played 10 games on loan at Carlisle in Autumn 2002, scoring one goal. He has spent most of his career since playing in Scotland, and is currently on Hearts' books. Sutton did feature against us in last years Europa League play-off game.
Carlisle are currently mid-table in League One, and in quite good form. They beat struggling Coventry on Saturday at The Ricoh Stadium, and have not lost in five games. They will not need motivating with the chance to take a big scalp tomorrow night.
Spurs are bound to give some key players a much-needed rest for this game, but they will still field a strong side. Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone will surely get game time, whilst the likes of Adam Smith (right back) and Andros Townsend (left back) may get a chance with Dawson and Caulker at the back. If Adebayor is still not fit then maybe Clint Dempsey will play the lead role up front.
Spurs should be more than good enough to win this comfortably, whoever wears the shirt. I'll go for a 3-0 win. The league cup competition is now sponsored by Capital One, so the competition could be called the C.O.CUP for short. Let's hope there isn't a cock-up tomorrow night!
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