GEORGE BRISTOWE
As such, George Bristowe deserves perhaps the greatest credit awarded to any manager of Carlisle United, yet his role in the club's history has thus far been virtually forgotten in the passage of time.
Before venturing any further, Bristowe is easily the longest serving manager the football club has ever had, a term in charge of team affairs which spanned some thirteen years. It is curious to note that he was not actually afforded the title, 'team manager', but was in fact the General Secretary, the man who did just about everything for the club, perhaps 'dogs-body' would be a more accurate representation of his job description.
Bristowe knew the local game inside out and had a remarkable eye for talent. He would travel all over the United Kingdom to monitor future acquisitions, such was his enthusiasm for the job that many of these unofficial journeys were not supplemented by club expenses but came straight out of his own pocket. In one week he watched players in London, Norfolk and Oxfordshire, returning to Brunton Park armed with a full dossier of the individual strengths and weaknesses of the players he wanted. If they came available, then Bristowe's overpowering character and amiable personality could be relied upon to do the rest.
Success is the supporters guide to how a manager is shaping up. Bristowe brought the North-Eastern League Championship to Brunton Park in 1922, some 21 games were won, and just six lost out of a league total of 36 games played.
This was to be an influential stepping stone as the club looked to greater things. The following season United finished sixth, and by their own standards finished in somewhat mediocre positions thereafter. However, at the end of the 1927/28 season which saw Bristowe's side remain unbeaten in their final eleven fixtures, they finished as runners up in the Championship. This was to be Bristowe's final season in the non-league game at BruntonPark, as the club were elected to the Football League the following season.
"This is the greatest achievement of my life, I am so pleased for everyone in Carlisle," said an elated Bristowe. There followed some tremendous signings including John (Jackie) Cape, an electric winger from the local scene and Jimmy McConnell, a centre forward who finished the Division's top scorer for two years in succession. Life in the Football League was a great deal tougher than Bristowe had appreciated, as it soon became clear that his desire and honest determination was not sufficient to take the team further. Thus the reign of the General Secretary came to an end.
