ALLAN  ROSS

(1942 - 1999)

A series about goalkeepers at Carlisle United could not start with any other name.

Allan Ross was playing for Scottish Junior club Petershill when he got a trial at Luton Town in March 1962, which proved successful.  Luton at that time was managed by Sam Bartram a former goalkeeper who had made nearly 600 appearances for Charlton Athletic.  The first choice keeper at Luton Town was Ron Baynhem, a one club man who was good enough to gain three England caps. It was an ideal place for Ross to graduate from  a Scottish Junior to a full time professional in the English League, however it proved impossible for him to break into the first team.  The nearest he came to playing was in December 1962. Ron Baynhem's father died and the funeral was on the Saturday morning in Birmingham.  Ross was told to get ready to play but Baynhem made it back twenty minutes before kick off!

The transfer that brought Allan Ross to Carlisle  happened in an almost 'lucky dip' deal.  Luton Town wanted to sign Carlisle full back Alex McBain and offered winger Jack Lornie in exchange.  Carlisle were interested but manager Alan Ashman wanted money as well as Lornie.  Luton  could not put up the cash so offered Ashman his pick of one of the reserves.  After watching a reserve game at the end of the season Ashman chose Ross and the deal was done.  Jack Lornie made 4 league appearances for Carlisle, Allan Ross a club record 466.

Arriving at Brunton Park in June 1963, Ross made his league debut on the 27th of September that year.  A 4-0 win against Aldershot.  For the next 3 years he would share the number 1 spot with Joe Dean, who transferred to Carlisle from Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 1962.  Dean stayed at Carlisle until 1970 when he moved to Barrow but by the 66/67 season Ross was undisputed first team keeper and was to remain so until 1977. By 1978 Trevor Swinburne  had taken over as number 1 goalie but in October a keeper crisis meant Ross was asked to to play one last game, the opponents were Swindon Town, Carlisle won the match 2 0 . Allan Ross ending his career as he began it, with a clean sheet.

Sadly Allan Ross never played for Scotland.  He was called up to the final 16 in the 69/70 season but didn't get a game.  or Carlisle however he was the continuous link in the squad playing in every division.  When he joined Carlisle were in division 3, they dropped to division 4 but bounced straight  back and the following year (64/65) won division 3 and were promoted to division 2.

He was in goal through Carlisle's amazing league cup run in 1969.  The semi final against West Bromich Albion was a two legged affair.  Carlisle played the first leg at home  and won 1-0  despite WBA being a division 1 team. Carlisle lost the second leg at the Hawthorns 4-1. It as the nearest the club had ever been to Wembley, the nearest we have ever been to a final involving all divisions.

He was in goal when Carlisle went to Italy and beat Roma 3-2 and Catanzaro 1-0 in the Anglo Italian cup.

He was in goal at Stamford Bridge on August 17th 1974 for Carlisle's first game in division1. That glorious game which Carlisle won 2-0, thanks to goals by Green and O Neil, a sterling effort by the team and a clean sheet thanks to great saves  from shots driven by the likes of John Sissons, Bill Grove and Chris Garland. Carlisle were top of the league.

Through the very best times at Carlisle United Allan Ross held firm.

Not long before he died, Rossie came onto the pitch to draw the golden gamble at half time. He was greeted by shouts of 'Get your boots on' and 'there's only one Allan Ross' which were returned by a grin and a wave.

Thanks Rossie!

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