Matchday Memories: On This Day 1974 – Larry Lloyd K.O.s Cumbrians For Milne’s Men!
On this day (26th October) in 1974 the Sky Blues, managed by (now CCFPA member) Gordon Milne, were well below half way in Division One and were back at Highfield Road a week after a stirring 4-4 draw at Middlesbrough. Today’s opponents were Carlisle United doing not too bad so far in their first top flight season a place below the fourteenth placed Sky Blues. The 16,790 crowd were aware that CCFC were so far seven games unbeaten on the trot and expected a result despite United beating Derby County 3-0 the previous week. Sky Blue fans also welcomed back the visitors’ captain ex CCFC defender (and now CCFPA member) Bobby Parker. Also in United’s defence was Bedworth lad Ray Train!
An admittedly poor game saw the Sky Blues score first but get pegged back before the break only to get a vital second half winner to take the points. Both City’s goals came from our towering centre back Larry Lloyd in the fifteenth and 64th minute. He turned the first in from an uncleared corner and netted the second with a header from a cross by (now CCFPA member) Dennis Mortimer. Before Larry’s winner, after twenty minutes, Frank Clarke had given the Cumbrians hope with a poached goal when Martin’s cross was dropped by City ‘keeper (another Association member now) Neil Ramsbottom!
Sky Blues (CCFPA members underlined):-
Carlisle United (managed by Alan Ashman)
Thomas Clarke, Peter Carr, John Gorman, Chris Balderstone, William Green, Bobby Parker, Dennis Martin, Ray Train, Frank Clarke (sub. Hughie McIlmoyle), Bobby Owen and Mike Barry Referee: M.Sinclair