- ITV Report
Carlisle United legend Bill Green dies
The man who scored Carlisle United’s first-ever goal in the top division - former captain Bill Green - has died.
Green earned his place in United’s history by leading United into the old First Division in 1974 at Chelsea and then scoring a goal.
His death at the age of 66 after a short illness was announced by the club last night.
Newcastle-born Green was bought by the Cumbrians from Hartlepool United for just £15,000 in 1973 and the central defender was soon a Blue Army favourite before leaving to join West Ham United in 1976.
A key part of United’s Division One team for our 1974/75 season in the sun, he scored the club’s first ever top-flight goal when he prodded the ball home from close range against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the opening fixture of that memorable campaign.
Carlisle United chairman Andrew Jenkins said paid tribute to Green who always kept in touch with the club.
Green played for Peterborough, Chesterfield and Doncaster Rovers and had managerial spells with Scunthorpe and Buxton, as well as a brief spell as caretaker manager with Sheffield Wednesday in 2002.
Latterly he was chief scout with Southampton who said they were "deeply saddened" by the news.