Bobby Carlisle

Name: Robert James Carlisle
Born: 26 May 1949
Height:
Weight:
Position: Goalkeeper

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 2 Amateur Caps (1972-1973).
Honours: (with Portadown) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1971/72; Gold Cup Winner 1971/72, Runner-Up 1972/73; Texaco All-Ireland Cup Winner 1973/74; Carlsberg Cup Winner 1972/73.
Awards: Ulster Footballer of the Year 1984.

Club Career:

Teams	Seasons	Signed	Fee	League	FA Cup	FL Cup	Europe	Other
Linfield	-	-66	Youth	* 2/0	-	-	-	-
Larne	-	-	Amateur	-	-	-	-	-
Ards	-	-	Amateur	-	-	-	-	-
Portadown	-	-	Amateur	-	-	-	4/0	-
Glenavon	-	-76	-	-	-	-	2/0	-
Newry Town	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Cliftonville	81/82-87/88	-	-	*/1	-	-	-	-
TOTALS	-	£-		-	-	-	6/0	-

* all domestic games.

Biography:

Bobby Carlisle was given his first run-outs as a seventeen year-old at Linfield where he was understudy to Iam McFaul and then Tommy Moffatt. Although he played just twice for Linfield's senior team - being likened to a tailor's dummy after his final game - he was in the squad that travelled Europe on a run to the 1967 European Cup quarter-final. With seemingly no long-term future for him at Windsor Park, Carlisle was released. He suffered similar frustrations at Ards under George Eastham who did see fit to recommend the still teenage Carlisle to Portadown manager, Gibby MacKenzie.

In the early 'seventies Portadown where capable of challenging for the big honours. 1972 saw them claim the Gold Cup, with a 2-1 final replay win over Ards, but finish runners-up in both the League and Irish Cup to Glentoran and Coleraine respectively. In the following season Carlisle claimed a winner's medal in the inaugural Carlsberg Cup tournament, Ards again the final victims, but again the Ports lost out in a final to Linfield - this time in the Gold Cup. Carlisle claimed another winner's medal during the 1973/74 season, surprisingly the last of his long career, as Bohemians were defeated 5-3 over two legs in the Texaco Cup final. 1974/75 saw Portadown progress to the second round in European competition for the only time in their history, defeating Valur Reykjavik 2-1 on aggregate in the first round of the UEFA Cup before succumbing 0-5, 1-1 to Partizan Belgrade.

Carlisle, a teacher by profession, featured twice for Northern Ireland in Amateur internationals while at Shamrock Park. His first appearance during the 1971/72 British Championships coincided with a rare series win for the Irish. Carlisle left Portadown in 1976 to sign for Mid-Ulster rivals, Glenavon. In his first season at Mourneview the Lurgan Blues finished runners-up to Glentoran in the Irish League so qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Carlisle offered invaluable experience to a Glenavon side that was considered the best since the days of Cush and Jones, but sadly they could not claim the honours that would reward their talents.

When Carlisle dropped down to the B Division to play for Newry Town it was assumed that his senior Irish League days were over - not a bit of it! He joined Cliftonville as cover for the promising young Brian Johnston and thereafter Johnston didn't get a look-in. On 16th October 1982 he had the distinction of scoring with a wind assisted kick-out in an Ulster Cup match against Distillery. The veteran Carlisle had perhaps the finest season of his career in 1983/84, aiding the Reds to the seldom dreamed of heights of third place in the Irish League and a place in the Irish Cup semi-finals. He remained at Solitude through to his retirement from the game in 1988, playing around 250 games, his performances adding an air of respectability to an otherwise mediocre Cliftonville side.

Bobby Carlisle holds the distinction of being regarded as among the best ever goalkeepers for two different clubs, Portadown and Cliftonville. He was regarded as a model professional (despite being an amateur until the mid-seventies), playing with good humour and never collecting a caution. With his playing days over he continued to teach in Lisburn as well as commentating for the BBC and doing some coaching.

Cliftonville Interview

Northern Ireland Amateur Cap Details:

28-04-1972 Scotland A W 1-0

12-10-1973 England. A L 0-2

Summary: 2/0. Won 1, Drew 0, Lost 1.