CARTMEL Races returns for one final time in 2018 over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Bank Holiday Monday will mark the last of nine days of racing at the track this year – a number they could only dream of back in 1989.

Then, the track and its bosses were whispering of the possibility of hosting a sixth day, to ease the burden and spread the crowds who were packing in for the existing five.

Three days in May were followed by two in August – with the introduction of meetings in June and July not to be seen for a long time.

The size of the crowds were causing problems for the officials, with assistant secretary Bruce Brinkall admitting there were some spectators who had been gaining access to the track by less-than-proper means.

“When they managed to catch them, they were put out as gently as possible,” he said. “Most people, about 99 per cent, are genuine race-goers and family parties who come to the gates and enjoy the racing and the fair properly, but with a country course like Cartmel, security is a problem.”

One very familiar face among the crowds back then– and one who was not suspected of having snook in – was Liverpool great and former England captain Emlyn Hughes.

Tuesday, the day after this year's Cartmel calendar comes to a close, would have been Emlyn's 71st birthday.

But in 1989, the proud Barrovian – at that point famous throughout the land as much for being a team captain on A Question Of Sport as for his footballing achievements – was celebrating his 42rd birthday at Cartmel Races.

His niece Christine Hughes presented him with a kiss and a cake on an afternoon when he sponsored one of the races.

That came after the May meeting earlier in 1989, when Brinkall said: “Emlyn Hughes, a regular attendee, came into the office yesterday and said he was so delighted with his day that he may sponsor a race in future.”

It was far from the last time that Emlyn would be seen at the course.