Mr Harker has once again put pen to paper to provide a gentle reminder that Union and League were not always good bedfellows. As always there is a right of reply and comments on Adrian's take on the 1970's are equally welcome......

In 1962 a book was published called `The art of course Rugby`. The book alludes to the lower echelon of our game and every player from my era can relate to it in one shape or another. I am not sure it applies to the game anymore. Again I look back at my school days and making my way in the early 1970's with the Black Reds.

One aspect of the game that has changed is that you could kick for touch from any position within the field and the ball didn't have to touch the ground outside the 22 mtr line for a line out to take place. It was taken where the ball crossed the line. Then the WINGER threw the ball in. It was thrown from between his legs, hopefully down the middle. Did I ever practice it? Did I hell. It was only in the mid 1970's that the hooker took over that job.

In those days if you juggled a pass it was deemed as a knock on. On a wet day the balls were like soap and could slip anywhere.

Then there was the dreaded RUGBY LEAGUE to be taken into consideration. No league player or official was allowed to put a foot on Union ground. Ike Southward our old under 17's league coach was refused permission to enter Bower Park. Ike at the time was an Ex Great Britain player. Disgraceful, but that was the way it was. Then our own Dave Robley went to coach Carlisle Border Raiders. The finest Rugby Union Coach of his time defected. Maybe if he had been given the Cumberland Rugby Union coaching job he richly deserved he may have stayed. However that is another story.

However, it didn't stop league players popping up and turning out for the Black Reds. Read on for hypocrisy at its best.. ...........

During the early 1970's we were short of a prop. A guy from Crosby Villa turned out for us. I only knew him as Deano. This guy was a BARLA International. Deano normally played for Maryport RL and had fallen out with them. We also had John Goldie play for us. A fine rugby player from Fletchertown. Signed for Workington Town, took the money, but never played. He turned out for us in early 1970's. The county powers to be found out and that was the end of John.

In the late 70's another incident occurred which demonstrated the then gulf between our club and rugby league. A young Workington Town player, John Burke, suffered life changing injuries during a game. As I recall the people of Cumbria rallied round and raised substantial sums to help his life going forward. However, there were several members of Aspatria RUFC who opposed the use of Bower Park for fund raising purposes. These were different times and I am not criticising them for honestly held views. However, the issue was hotly contested by many and, with some townsfolk, still rankles today. The good thing is that the current generation, both playing and running the club, see no such divisions. Indeed I understand that the club's relationship with Hornets RL could not be more co-operative. This would amaze some of those who ruled the roost in the 70's.

One of our all-time favourites players at Bower Park had trials with Widnes Rugby League. He was known as A.N.Other. In the end he didn't sign for them. A guy called Nicky Kiss signed instead. Needless to say I don't know him as A.N.Other. He knows who I mean, but do you? Answers on a postcard, please.

Another young man at Aspatria who went on to become a club legend was tempted by Pro RL and took the money. Never played, gave the money back, and was cleared by the Rugby Football Union.

However, the best goes back to the late 1960's. I have this from a very good authority. Rugby league players in those days were all semi-professional, except for Wigan. At the, then, Hackney bed makers, outside contractors came and went. Aspatria were to play Wigton away. Playing centre for Aspatria was a J Melling . Although I think we called him Mellor. Jackie Melling was a rugby league player who played for Warrington. He scored 65 tries in 171 games and was a member of the winning Warrington Lancashire cup team of 1965. Wigton won the game; Jackie was not allowed of his leash or so he said. In those days there was no social media, so unless you followed rugby league or watched Eddie Waring on Saturday afternoons you wouldn't know what Jackie Melling looked like.

Shows how attitudes change. Again back in the late 1960's, Ireland had a player (who signed for Workington Town) called Ken Goodhall. Ken was studying to be a doctor at Newcastle University. Ken was told he mustn't turn out for his university side while on international duty. That meant nothing to Ken. One weekend he played at Cardiff Arms Park, following week (under another name) at St. Mungo's Park for Winlaton Vulcans. The following week he was back at Lansdowne Road. Could it happen now. I don't think so.

I hope you have enjoyed my trip down memory lane and how our game has changed