Four wins at Brunton Park in the last 40-odd years haven’t exactly been rich pickings but games at Carlisle have spurned the careers of two Brentford ‘favourites’ during that period.
Back on Tuesday 16th September 1986 an undistinguished 0-0 draw nonetheless launched the career of one Jamie Bates, as the 18-year debutant gave a powerful display alongside fellow centre-back Keith Millen. Few of those present among the sparse crowd of 2,904 would have realised they were watching the first appearance of a career that would stretch 15 years into the future and take in well over 600 games – 524 of which came in a Brentford shirt (many as captain) and elevated ‘Batesy’ to the second-highest appearance holder in the Club’s history.
Six year earlier, another long trek to the north-west county town of Cumbria had also registered the start of the career of another player who would go on to be undoubtedly classed as one of Brentford’s favourites of the era…
Carlisle United 1, Brentford 2 (Saturday 11th October 1980)
…”One of the most satisfying aspects of this sketchy game at Brunton Park was the performance of 20-year old Gary Roberts who was making his league debut. He was preferred to Tony Funnell and playing on the right of the attack he caused the Carlisle defence a lot of problems.
He was unlucky not to score in the 10th minute when Blues ‘keeper Swinburne managed to get a foot in the way of his shot. Then, in the second half, Swinburne again reacted quickly to turn his first-time flick for a corner.”
At the time, Brentford were definitely the Third Division’s ‘away-day’ specialists and the victory was the fifth on foreign soil in six games – the other one had ended in a draw. The score was one-a-piece when the match was settled in the most extraordinary of circumstances. In the 58th minute almost everyone in the ground was left stunned when home full-back Steve Hoolickin elbowed Bob Booker in the face, right in front of the referee.
Mr Raymond Chadwick of Darwen, near Blackburn had no other option other than to award a penalty and Barry Silkman coolly clinched another away win – as the run of successes brought the tally of away points to 11 out of a possible 14.
The inexplicable incident happened as United ‘keeper Swinburne had comfortably cut out a cross from new-boy Roberts but as Booker challenged, Hoolickin retaliated by blatantly launching an elbow into his opponent’s face.
Paul Walker had shot Brentford into a 49th minute lead with a beautifully-executed goal. David Crown had spotted Walker unmarked on the edge of the penalty area and sent a short, angled corner into his path. The stocky little schemer blasted the ball through a crowded box and past the stranded Swinburne but the Bees then allowed Carlisle to bounce straight back with an equaliser within a minute.
However, once Brentford had secured the lead for a second time they never really looked in danger of conceding the points.
The Chronicle’s match reporter certainly had his eye caught by the performances of two of the Brentford players.
…”It was heartening to see Barry Silkman operating skilfully and intelligently in midfield and he could have grabbed a couple of more goals to add to his penalty.”
…”One of the main differences between the two sides was the urgency of the Bees’ tackling and Terry Hurlock, one of the finest exponents of ball-winning I have ever seen, once again had a fine match. His vision and energy seem to rub off on the rest of the players and it surely won’t be long before he is attracting the interest of some First Division clubs.”
Mark Croxford
