FORMER football manager Alan Ashman, who has just died at 74, became almost a legendary figure through his achievements with Carlisle United and West Bromwich Albion, but he served his apprenticeship as the man in charge of Penrith FC around 40 years ago.

With his career as a player ended prematurely by injury, he left Carlisle in 1959 and took a job with one of the directors, Jim Monkhouse, who had an agricultural merchants’ and poultry business at Langwathby. However, he hoped to maintain a link with the game, which prompted Penrith, through chairman Jack Donaldson, to invite him to become the first manager at Southend Road the committee previously chose the teams.

BUOYANT SPELL

His arrival heralded a buoyant spell for followers of the “Bonny Blues”, who climbed the Northern League and enjoyed exciting runs in the FA Amateur Cup. In his first season they reached the Northern League Cup final for the first time, losing to Bishop Auckland by the only goal.

Alan Ashman’s team combined a local defence with an attack of out-of-town footballers. Fullbacks like Terry Mulryan and Raymond Nicholson (both Penrith), Mike Beaty (Ullswater) and Bryan Bousfield (Brough) played behind an all-Penrithian halfback line of Bob Watson, Kenny Barnes and John (“Doc”) Airey, who were later joined by Raymond Thornton, a forceful player from Kirkby Stephen.

The scoring potency of the team generally stemmed from Carlisle-based players of the quality of Eric Brough, Albert Clapperton and Jimmy Rigg, plus Denis Smith a “goal poacher” from Lancaster.

But some Penrith men did figure in the forward line, notably the speedy Derek Snaith, Billy Stout and Bill Jameson.

In goal were two Hodgsons, Ted and Brian, with policeman Ian Brown also challenging for the green jersey.

It was a team of many talented players and Alan Ashman bonded them together and created almost a “family atmosphere” among them a one-for-all, all-for-one endeavour.

Fans looked forward, in particular, to Penrith’s involvement in the now-defunct Amateur Cup. The run of 1960-61 saw the dismissal of Cleator Moor Celtic, Hearts of Liddesdale, Manchester University, Whalley Range, Marine (Liverpool) and Stanley United, the excitement mounting with every match, every step nearer to the possibility of a Wembley final!

By this time, Penrith were in the last 32 of the competition and the next-round match, with West Auckland, drew 4,000 spectators to the little stadium to see a 1-1 draw. The replay, at West Auckland, was also drawn and the third match, at Brunton Park, Carlisle, was also a knife-edge affair, with the County Durham side eventually squeezing through by the only goal.

The bubble had burst, but Penrith had touched the golden hem of glory, said the Herald.

Another notable Amateur Cup run in 1961-62 took Penrith down to London for the first time, to play Leytonstone, of the Isthmian League a match which was decided by an own goal to the host club through Kenny Barnes slicing the ball into his own net.

IMPRESSED

Penrith finished as runners-up in the Northern League that year, and Carlisle United were so impressed by the managerial work of their former centre forward that they appointed Alan Ashman to replace Ivor Powell as the man in charge at Brunton Park.

The high point in his career was in guiding West Bromwich Albion to success in the FA Cup in 1968, but he returned to Carlisle and the team won promotion to the old First Division in season 1973-74.

Back at Penrith, the team originally led by Alan Ashman remained largely unchanged and won the Cumberland Cup six years in succession.

He was a guest of honour at the Penrith club’s centenary dinner in 1994 and enjoyed the company of his former players once again.

Alan Ashman died of a stroke and heart attack in Walsall’s Manor Hospital on Saturday.