The club's first foray in the Third Division for thirteen years ended in thirteenth place. Bobby Moncur was at least able to halt the slide that had seen United tumble out of the First Division and suffer a further drop within two seasons.

On the playing side, United took 47 points from 46 league games, scored 59 goals and sold top scorer Billy Rafferty to Wolves for £130,000 just before transfer deadline day. His replacement was Portsmouth striker David Kemp. Kemp, with his archetypal Seventies perm and good looks, was hardly your typical United footballer. However, he scored some early goals as the Blues completed their season on a fairly quiet note.

Life in the Third was particularly hard going early on. One of the few highlights of the opening two months was a 3-1 derby victory at Brunton Park over Preston North End, with Rafferty claiming two goals. By October, United had slumped to the foot of the table. Bad habits die hard it seems as they once again went 2-0 up at home (this time to Lincoln) only to lose 3-2. It was with more than a touch of irony that this game saw the Carlisle debut of Scotsman Jimmy Hamilton, one of the scorers in Bristol Rovers 3-2 victory the previous season that had sent United down in the first place.

The season was re-invigorated by the FA Cup which saw the Cumbrians reach the Third Round. They disposed of Stafford Rangers and Chester to reach that stage and then pull out a plum home draw with holders Manchester United. It is the stuff of legend that when Carlisle's ball came out of the bag, only three others remained. Alongside Manchester's were those of non-leaguers Enfield and Blyth Spartans. No prizes for guessing which ball the United directors and fans were praying came out next!

The club cashed in on the dream tie by giving away vouchers at two home games over the Christmas holiday. Both these vouchers had to be exchanged along with the payment for an FA Cup ticket. As a result, 10326 saw United beat Walsall on Boxing Day, and some 11309 turned up a week later to see the Blues despatch Sheffield Wednesday 1-0.

Over 21,000 attended a match that was riddled with controversy. Manchester took just two minutes to score through Lou Macari. Carlisle levelled with an Ian MacDonald header and close to half-time Brian Greenhoff was sent off for committing a blatant hand ball. The second half saw United claim a penalty for a trip on George McVitie by Ashley Grimes but the referee overlooked the challenge and Manchester won the replay 4-2.