If any of United's managers were to be regarded as high profile then Bob Stokoe would be that man.

Not that he was extrovert, but Stokoe is the manager most football fans outside the area associate with the club, and quite rightly so. This quiet and gentlemanly Geordie was a totally dedicated servant to every club he was involved with, and in particular Carlisle United.

As a player he was a solid centre half and an FA Cup winner in 1955. It was with Newcastle United that he made his name, making 287 appearances and scoring 5 goals. He later moved to Bury as player/manager in December 1961, before hanging up his boots in May 1964. In the managerial role, he moved on to Charlton Athletic and Rochdale, before arriving at Brunton Park in October 1968.

He took United to the semi-final of the Football League Cup in 1969 and introduced a new fresh style of football to the United faithful.

Then, in 1970, he negotiated transfer terms with Blackpool and duly moved clubs, with United receiving a fee in exchange.

The spell at Bloomfield Road lasted 23 months before he returned to the North East with Sunderland. Of his many achievements with the Roker Park side, the pinnacle was his 'out-managing' one of the greatest team managers of all time in the 1973 FA Cup Final, as his side returned to Sunderland with the trophy. His reward for such success and for guiding the club to the Second Division Championship in 1976 was the sack.

There followed a spell with Bury, Blackpool and Rochdale before a return to Carlisle where he acted as a scout between August and November 1979. He stepped up into the managers office again, in September 1980, where he remained almost continuously until May 1986.

Within this period he stood down to allow 'Pop' Robson a chance to prove himself, however, he was forced to take charge when his successor resigned after less than two months in charge. He eventually handed over the role to Harry Gregg in 1986. The following season he took temporary charge of Sunderland before drifting out of the limelight for a few years. In 1991, Ian Porterfield persuaded him to take up the role as scout for Chelsea. Bob Stokoe was a 'real' manager, a motivator who knew his players and the game inside out, a man who cared about Carlisle United and it's supporters. Greater credit cannot be paid for his services to the club.