Roma 2 - 3 Carlisle United, 1 June 1972
On 1 June 1972 at 11.30pm, Carlisle United played European giants AS Roma in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome that only a few years earlier had hosted the Olympic Games.
It was Carlisle’s first game in the Anglo-Italian cup and, in the days leading up to the game, Roma’s famous manager, Helenio Herrera, made a number of disparaging remarks about the Carlisle team being fit only for the very lowest levels of the Italian League.
Two hours later, there were catcalls and boos from the Roma supporters for their team while the visiting team celebrated an amazing win – beating Roma 3-2.
This was the first time that a foreign team had beaten Roma in Rome, 29 years before Liverpool did it in an EUFA cup and 30 years before Arsenal managed it, to national acclaim, in the European Cup.
The London Branch has produced a 48-page commemorative fanzine to celebrate this incredible win and wants every Carlisle fan to have an opportunity to celebrate with them.
You can download the fanzine HERE.
The fanzine includes contributions from Roma and Carlisle players, and wives, Chris Balderstone’s personal itinerary and squad list, personal anecdotes from David Dent and Andrew Jenkins, Italian newspaper reports from the time, previously unseen photographs from Derek Hemstead at Catanzaro, the rule changes that were trialled and that did and didn’t make it into the rule book.
John Bowman, the London Branch HTB Editor, said: “This was an anniversary that we were determined not to miss.
“We started planning it back in July 21 and have been delighted with the support that we have received from every area, including AS Roma. In fact, they have said that they want to include the fanzine and the t-shirt in their museum.”
Dave Brown, the London Branch chair, said: “Young fans will wonder what an event 50 years ago has to do with them, but ask a young Liverpool fan what the 1981 European Champions Final means to them - they will know.
“We would love all Carlisle fans to see their history as part of their passion for the club and their hope for the future which is why we offered our members’ fanzine to be downloaded free by any Carlisle fan.”
The London Branch has also produced a great t-shirt which illustrates the cheek of Stan Bowles.
Tot Winstanley, the scorer of the winning goal in Rome, said: “Aye, they got a little bit tetchy when Stan played keep up on the centre line.”
This inspired the tee shirt which is available in the Blues Store and also online HERE.
