Footy mad Cumbrian exile, and athome chief sub, Lynne Maxwell, has a passion for lower league football, particularly Carlisle United. This week she talks about that Jimmy Glass goal and how she bagged a date with the legend himself.
Before I get stuck into this week's column, I have to mention our brilliant performance last weekend at home to Leyton Orient. We won 4-1, an amazing result considering we hadn't scored four goals in a League game since the end of last season (against Colchester). Considering we were a bit goal-shy at Brunton Park towards the end of last term, this is a welcome sign of things to come (hopefully) for our promotion push. Up to sixth now, Saturday's game at table rivals MK Dons is a big one. They sit just above us on five points more. COYB!
Anyway, as promised, I'm going to spill the beans on my date with 'Sir' Jimmy Glass, but the actual date might have to wait until next week, because, before I go any further, I better explain to all you CUFC novices out there exactly who he is.
Anyone who loves football should remember the legendary goalkeeper's name when he hit the headlines on 8 May 1999. Onloan from Swindon Town (much to relegation rivals Scarborough's disgust – more on that later), Glass netted the last-gasp winner against Plymouth on the last day of the 1998/99 season to keep Carlisle United in the Football League.
The game stood at 1-1 when referee, Frazer Stretton, added on four minutes of injury time after Plymouth midfielder, Paul Gibbs, broke his leg earlier on. In what was the final attack of the game, Carlisle won a corner. Graham Anthony's well-flighted kick found striker (and my former favourite player, in case you wondered) Scott Dobie at the near post.The crowd were on their feet. Dobie's header was on target but James Dungey, the Plymouth keeper, clawed it out - only as far as Glass, who'd ran up the field, egged on by manager Nigel Pearson. The fans in front of me in the Paddock were shouting their heads off at Glass, telling him to get back in case Plymouth broke free. But this was ours, and Glass', final chance.
News filtered through headphones that Scarborough had already cracked open the champagne, relieved at their 'survival' after managing a draw at home to Peterborough. We needed a miracle. And that's what we got. Glass pounced on the Plymouth keeper's parry, and fired the ball into the back of the net to send players and fans alike into raptures. Everyone involved with Carlisle United punched the sky in ecstasy that day. In fact, even Plymouth were dumbfounded, yet pleased for us. An amazing day, which was to put Jimmy Glass' name down in football folklore forever. He even appeared on Match of the Day that night, as well as on news channels worldwide.
So, imagine my delight when I had to interview the legend about his newly published autobiography, One Hit Wonder, while working on my university newspaper five years later. Glass' PR gave him my mobile number and promised he'd call me to arrange 10 minutes with him after his book signing at the Carlisle branch of Waterstones the following day. I figured this wouldn't happen. It was five years after his famous goal and he was STILL in demand. I decided I'd just have a load of questions ready to ask him for when he signed my copy of his book, once I got to the front of the very long queue of fellow Carlisle fans.
The afternoon I'd passed on my number, I was wandering around Carlisle city centre filling in time before my bus home, when my mobile rang. Unperturbed by the 'withheld' display written across the screen, I answered it. It was Glass. The conversation went like this – JG: Hello, Lynne? Me: Hi, it is Lynne, yes. JG: Hello, it's Jimmy Glass here. Me (in my head *Oh. My. God*): Errrr, hi Jimmy, how are you? JG: I'm great thanks. Listen, I understand you want to interview me about my goal. Well, how are you fixed for tonight? Me: Errrr, I'm, I, err, I think I'm OK to talk tonight. *Oh. My. God. I'm actually on the phone to Jimmy Glass. I want to scream about this to the passing Carlisle public* JG: Well, have you eaten? Because I haven't and I thought we could do this over some food? Me: Oh, er, wow, yes, I mean no, I haven't eaten, food will be great. *As if I can eat ANYTHING when talking to this legend* JG: Great, shall we say Pizza Express about 6.30pm? Me (composed now): Yes, Jimmy, that's fine with me. Thank you very much. Cue numerous, boasting phone calls to everyone and anyone who would listen.
Next week, the actual 'date'/interview. And yes, I did manage to eat...a salad! Pathetic, I know.
Picture credit: Adam Davy/PA Images
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About the author
Footy mad Cumbrian exile, Lynne Maxwell, has a passion for lower league football. Despite being surrounded by high flying London Premier League clubs while based in the capital, she sticks to her roots by supporting home side, Carlisle United, and all that goes with it. Join Lynne each week as she shares the highs and lows of being part of the Blue Army.
