The statistics at the end of the season showed that United had drawn a remarkable 22 games out of 46, and that, at the end of the day, was why they finished sixth in Division Three and just outside the promotion places.

A tight defence that leaked just 42 goals was not complemented by a voracious attack, despite the presence of David Kemp and Mick Tait in the side. A false dawn came in September when a rampant United went in at half-time 4-0 up on a hapless Colchester outfit. The second half did not produce any further goals and further scorelines of this kind were not forthcoming.

Indeed, it sometimes required spectacular interventions to keep the Blues in the game. Defender Bobby Parker, not noted for his goalscoring ability, produced a long range thunderbolt late in the home game against Blackpool in November to save a point in a 1-1 draw. Promotion fancies Swansea were beaten 2-0 in September and late in the campaign, Graham Taylor's rising stars at Watford were edged out 1-0 by a Phil Bonnyman free kick.

In between, there were an awful lot of nil-nil draws - nine to be precise - to keep Carlisle out of the top three. Kemp shone up front, living up to his billing as a quality striker as he scored 21 league and cup goals, but he never seemed to settle at the club and he was soon on his way the following season.

Fate paired United with the FA Cup holders for the second season running, and again they had to make do with a brave exit, going down 3-2 at Portman Road to Ipswich Town after the weather had caused a postponement. The saddest news of the season concerned the tragic death in a car crash of chief scout Hughie Neil. Neil, who had been at the club as a player throughout the Sixties, was honoured by the club who decided to name their new indoor sports centre after him.