January 4 is probably the most significant date in Workington Reds’ Football League history.
It was the day the champions of England, Manchester United played at Borough Park in the third round of the FA Cup in front of a record crowd of 21,000.
No mobiles, social media platforms or BBC Radio Cumbria commentaries back then. You were there or sat in front of Grandstand on TV hoping for a score update via the old teleprinter.
Imagine the shock of those relying on the tele when word came through that Clive Colbridge had given Workington the lead, which they held until half-time.
Little Workington, in the bottom half of Third Division North were suddenly the focus of the Grandstand studio – only for a certain Dennis Viollet to scupper giant-killing dreams with a second-half hat-trick.
The champions had shown their class in the second-half although legendary manager Sir Matt Busby acknowledged that Reds had given them a mighty fright.
Sadly five of the players that graced the Borough Park turf that day died in the Munich air disaster a month later.
That Cup tie remains the iconic game from Reds 26 years in the Football League, one remembered by everyone who was there.
Receipts from the game (remember it was 65 years ago) were £2,236 from which United took their rail fare (£42) and hotel expenses (£31.10 shillings at the Globe, Cockermouth) whilew the referee’s fee was £11 3 shillings and the two linesmen £10.15 shillings.
So the profit for each club in the end was £678 and 15 shillings!
