Meet Carlisle United

CARLISLE UNITED TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Carlisle United’s origins can be traced back to 1904 and the annual meeting of Shaddongate United when members of the club voted to change their name to Carlisle United. In 1905, they joined the Lancashire Combination and four years later moved to Brunton Park. From 1910 they competed in the North Eastern League, winning the title in 1922. In 1928, Carlisle United replaced Durham City in the Football League. Carlisle’s first fixture in August 1928 saw a 3-2 victory at Accrington Stanley. A week later they overcame Hartlepool 8-0, still the club record victory. In 1962, Carlisle clinched promotion for the first time in their history but twelve months later returned to Division Four. The following year Carlisle were promoted again with a record 113 goals scored. Carlisle were promoted to the First Division (now the Premier League) for the 1974-75 season and in the words of Bill Shankly, it was ‘the greatest feat in the history of the game’. They won their first three games and briefly stood at the top of the First Division but despite playing attractive football, the Cumbrians eventually finished bottom. This remains as their only ever appearance in the top flight. A club steeped in history and drama – none less so than when keeper Jimmy Glass scored with the last kick of the season in May 1999 to secure their league status. But after just one win in the first 21 games of the 2003-04 campaign, the Blues did drop out of the Football League just nine days before the club’s centenary. Carlisle spent just one season in the Conference defeating Stevenage in the play off final and then twelve months later, became champions of League Two. In 2008 Carlisle reached the Division One play offs, losing to Leeds United. After several mid table finishes, 2013-14 ended with relegation back to League Two and although the Blues enjoyed an upbeat spell under Keith Curle a play-off campaign in 2016-17 ended in defeat to Exeter City in the semi-final. John Sheridan took over from Curle but was tempted away six months later by Chesterfield, and Steven Pressley was appointed during the January 2019 transfer window. He parted ways with the club 10 months later, with Chris Beech appointed at the end of November 2019. After an 18th place PPG finish last season, the Blues have made a fantastic start to the campaign this term, currently topping the table and occupying the promotion/playoff places since mid-October. Their impressive home form has been a major contributor to that as they have amassed 25 out of a possible 30 points at Brunton Park. Away from home, they have four wins from their 11 games so far and five losses.

FORMED 1904

NICKNAME The Blues, The Cumbrians

BRUNTON PARK Capacity 18,202

RECORD SCORER Jimmy McConnell 126 (1928-32)

RECORD APPEARANCES Alan Ross 466 (1963-79)

RECORD TRANSFER FEE PAID Joe Garner £140k To Blackburn Rovers 2007

RECORD TRANSFER FEE RECEIVED Matt Jansen £1.2m From Crystal Palace 1998

POSITION 1ST POINTS

39

CARLISLE UNITED SQUAD

BETWEEN THE STICKS 1. Magnus Norman

Joined the Blues in August as the club’s eighth summer signing. Norman joined Fulham at the age of nine and turned pro with his boyhood club in 2014, when he was just 17. He enjoyed loan spells with Farnborough, Hayes & Yeading and Southport before he first caught the eye of Chris Beech during a half-season loan spell with Rochdale in 2018.

Paul Farman

© Mark Fuller

21. Paul Farman

Joining the Blues in August, Farman started his career on the non-league circuit with Blyth Spartans, but it was his move to Gateshead in the summer of 2009 which really started to put him on the map. He played 64 games for the Heed, and a loan spell with Lincoln preceded a permanent switch to Sincil Bank where he went on to make over 200 appearances for the Imps in a six-year stay. He signed for Stevenage in June 2018 and made 75 appearances for Boro before leaving the club at the end of the 2019/20 season.

George Tanner

© Mark Fuller

AT THE BACK

2. George Tanner

Signing in August, Tanner joined Manchester United as a youngster before earning a place on their scholarship programme. He went on to sign his first pro contract with the Red Devils in January 2018. He enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with Morecambe through the first half of the 2019-20 campaign where he made a total of 29 appearances.

3. Nick Anderton ©

Signing for Carlisle in January 2020, Anderton started his career at home-town club Preston North End where he enjoyed loan spells at Chorley, Gateshead, Barrow and Aldershot Town. He signed for Barrow on a permanent basis in 2016 and became a regular for The Bluebirds before moving to Blackpool in 2017. After a loan spell at Accrington Stanley for the 2018-19 season, he joined Carlisle and immediately became a fans favourite and was appointed as the club’s captain for this campaign.

5. Max Hunt

Joining the Blues from Derby County in January 2020, Hunt spent the first half of the 2019-20 campaign on-loan at National League side Aldershot Town, where he made 22 appearances. The 6’6” centre back established himself with the U23s at County during the 18-19 season and captained the side as he made 20 total appearances. He joined Derby from Matlock Town in January 2018 and became a regular feature at the heart of Darren Wassall’s defence before heading to Aldershot.

6. Aaron Hayden

Signing in July 2019, Hayden spent time in the youth system at Chelsea before moving to join Wolves’ academy as a 16-year-old in 2015. Whilst at Molineux, he had loan spells at Newport County, Hemel Hempstead Town, Bromley, Telford and Stourbridge before moving to Carlisle. He was appointed as club vice-captain for this campaign.

7. Joe Riley

Signing in August 2020, Riley was snapped up by Manchester

Nick Anderton

United as a youngster and after coming through the ranks, made his way into the first team squad under Louis van Gaal, as part of the Europa League squad. He made his debut at the same time as Marcus Rashford when the Red Devils beat Midjtylland in a 5-1 rout. A loan spell with Sheffield United in January 2017 was blighted by injury and he joined Bradford City in the summer of 2018 before joining the Cumbrians.

13. Rod McDonald

Joining the Blues in August, McDonald cut his teeth in academy football with Stoke City and Manchester City before plying his trade on the non-league circuit. He signed for Northampton Town in the summer of 2015, where over 50 appearances and a title winning campaign helped him catch the eye of Coventry City, who he joined in May 2017. Another successful spell followed with the Sky Blues before he joined Wimbledon in August 2018.

17. Jack Armer

Joining the Blues in August, the Scotland under-19 international came through the ranks with his Preston North End where he went on to captain the under-18 side. He had a loan spell with Lancaster where he earned a regular starting place in the team before joining Carlisle.

24. Tom Watson

A product of Carlisle’s academy system, Watson earned his first professional deal at the end of the 2019/20 season.

32. Rhys Bennett

Joining on a short-term deal till January, the 29-year-old has amassed over 300 career appearances. He started

Chris Beech

Appointed: November 2019 Age: 45

IN THE DUGOUT

Carlisle United appointed experienced and highly respected coach Chris Beech in November 2019 as head coach on a deal which will keep him in charge of first team affairs until at least the summer of 2021. Beech, 45, started his playing career with his hometown club Blackpool where he made over 100 senior appearances. He then spent two years with Hartlepool United before moving to join Huddersfield Town, where he played under Steve Bruce as the Terriers pushed for promotion from the Championship. His long association with Rochdale started in 2002 where he enjoyed time as a player, youth team manager, assistant manager and caretaker manager before parting company with the club in March this year.

as a youngster with Bolton Wanderers where he signed his first pro deal and had a spell on-loan at Falkirk before making the switch to Rochdale in 2012. A four-year stay at Spotland saw him make over 100 appearances, before moving to Mansfield Town in 2016 where he played almost every game for the Stags over a two-year spell. He then moved to Peterborough in May 2018, played 63 games for the Posh. Callum

THE ENGINE ROOM 4. Danny Devine

Joining United in the summer, Devine joined Bradford City at U13 level and came through the ranks with the Bantams signing his first pro contract in June 2016. After a brief loan at to make over 50 games for the Bantams in League One and Two before signing for Carlisle in August.

8. Callum Guy

Signing in January 2020, Guy started his career with Derby County where he became a regular in the club’s under-23 side. He had loan spells with Port Vale and Bradford City whilst with the Rams, where he gained vital league experience, then spent the first half of the 2018-19 campaign at Blackpool, where he made 21 appearances.

Harrogate Railway, he went on Guy

© Mark Fuller

His performances secured him a permanent move and he made just under 50 appearances for the Tangerines.

12. Jon Mellish

Signing for The Blues in May 2019, the Gateshead College graduate, came through the under-19 system with Gateshead. After making his first-team debut in 2017 , he went on to make a total of 58 appearances for the Heed and picked up the National League’s ‘Young Player of the Year’ award for the 2018-19 season before joining the Cumbrians. Blues manager, Chris Beech converted him to a midfield role, a move that has reaped dividends with Mellish top scoring with 12 goals this season in all competitions.

Jon Mellish 15. Taylor Charters

Signing a pro contract with the club in August 2019, just two months into his YTS scholarship, Charters notched up nine appearances during the 2019/20 season.

16. Brennan Dickenson

Joining in August, Dickenson was in the youth system at Southampton before he joined Dorchester, where he caught the eye of Brighton, who secured his services. He had loan spells with Chesterfield, Wimbledon and Northampton before moving to Gillingham in 2014. A total of 78 appearances for the Gills preceded a move to Colchester, where he bagged 15 goals in just over 90 appearances before joining MK Dons in May 2019. In January 2020 he joined Exeter City for the remainder of the season.

18. Josh Dixon

A product of the club’s academy, joining at nine year-old and worked his way through the groups to earn his first pro deal at the end of the 2018-19 season.

19. Dean Furman

Signed in August, the South African international began at Chelsea at nine-yearsold. After working his way through the age groups with

The Blues he was signed by Rangers where he was a regular in their reserves before a season-long loan to Bradford City in 200809. Four years in Oldham followed,

Lewis Alessandra

where he made over 150 appearances before a loan spell with Doncaster in March 2013 was made permanent the following summer. 80 appearances with Rovers preceded a move back to South Africa, where he spent five seasons with SuperSport United before moving back to England. Internationally he has 56 caps for the Bafana Bafana.

30. Connor Malley

Signing a half-season loan deal in October from Middlesbrough, Malley was snapped up by Sunderland as a youngster before making the switch to the Riverside. He established himself in the under-18s, before stepping up to become a key part of the under-23 squad. He spent the second half of last season on-loan with Scottish Championship side Ayr United.

UP TOP 9. Lewis Alessandra

Joining United in January 2020, the versatile front man was previously with Morecambe where he bagged five goals in his 26 appearances through the first half of 2019-20 season. He started his career as a youngster with Oldham where he secured his first pro contract, scoring eight goals in 76 appearances for the Latics before moving to

Omari Patrick

© Mark Fuller

Morecambe for his first spell there. Two years at the Globe Arena preceded a switch to Plymouth, where he made over 100 appearances for the Pilgrims, netting 25 goals. Spells with Rochdale, York City (loan), Hartlepool United and Notts County followed, where he continued to find the back of the net, before he returned to Morecambe on a half-season deal in July 2019.

10. Gavin Reilly

Joining the Blues in August, Reilly exploded onto the scene in 2010 with Queen of the South scoring 43 goals in 132 appearances during a five-year stay. Loan spells with Gretna and Hearts preceded a permanent move to Tynecastle in 2015. He had a loan spell with Dunfermline, before making the switch to St Mirren in July 2017. After 22 goals in 44 appearances he signed for Bristol Rovers before heading on loan to Cheltenham Town for the first half of 2019-20.

11. Omari Patrick

Joining the Blues from Bradford City in January 2020, Patrick started his career with Beaconsfield before joining Kidderminster Harriers. He moved to Barnsley, where he impressed in the development squad and earned a move to Valley Parade in May 2017. He spent the first half of 2018-19 on-loan at Yeovil Town before a loan spell at Wrexham the following season.

14. Joshua Kayode

Initially signing a half-season loan deal in January 2020 from boyhood club Rotherham United, Kayode scored three goals in just five games, and Blues manager Chris Beech moved to secure his services on a season-long loan deal this term in August. During his time with the Millers, he has also had fruitful loan spells at Chesterfield and Gateshead.

20. Gime Touré

Signing for Carlisle in August, Touré began his career in France where he played for ES Viry-Chatillon, La Roche, Brest B and Fontenay LCVF before heading to England in 2017 where he joined Macclesfield Town. He was with AFC Fylde for the first half of the 2018-19 season before ending the campaign at Sutton United. Last season saw him enjoy a successful stay with Hartlepool United, where he scored 13 goals in just 39 appearances.

31 Micah Obiero

Signing on a loan until January 2021, Obiero started his career at Leyton Orient before he joined Huddersfield Town’s academy midway through the 2016-17 campaign, after a successful trial period. 2018-19 was an impressive year for Micah, where he led the line for the under-19s and top scored with 15 goals. He made his first team debut for the Terriers on the last day of last season.

33 Ethan Walker

Joining United on a season-long loan deal from Preston North End in early September, Walker has been at Deepdale since the age of nine. He was top scorer in the U18 side for two consecutive seasons and was confirmed as the club’s 2019-20 ‘Scholar of the Year’ in July. In December 2018, he became the youngest ever player to represent the Lilywhites in a league fixture.

RECENT LINE-UP v Bolton Wanderers (H) D3-3 Saturday, 26 December 2020

Patrick

Mellish Kayode

Riley Alessandra

Guy

Armer Bennett McDonald

Farman Hayden

ASK AWAY

WE GOT IN TOUCH WITH LIFELONG BLUES FAN SIMON CLARKSON TO GET AN INSIGHT INTO SUPPORTING CARLISLE AND HIS THOUGHTS FOR THE SEASON AHEAD.

What was your first Carlisle game?

I think it was 21st August 1979 against Blackburn Rovers which was also the game that Peter Beardsley made his league debut. Who should we watch out for? Why do you support Carlisle? Rhys Bennett is top quality. He oozes class, never I could not consider supporting anyone else. The looks ruffled and his calmness puts others at ease. club is a big part of the community and like a He’s weighed in with some big goals too. second family to fans. I am proud to be a fan. I have had so many great experiences as a supporter and developed life-long friendships. Who do you fancy for promotion this season? The January transfer window will be significant, so I expect the likes of Bolton Wanderers and Salford What is your most memorable game? City to flex their financial muscles Without doubt 8th May 1999 and the last kick of to put themselves in the promotion the season goal by our goalkeeper Jimmy Glass, to mix. Newport and Cheltenham avoid relegation to non-league. Had we gone down Town will have staying power then, we may not have got back into the based on continuity from Football League for some time. previous seasons.

What are your hopes for the What’s your opinion of 2020-21 campaign? Harrogate Town?

They are becoming more I am gutted that I can’t make and more optimistic every my first visit over to the week. As I write we are ground. I’ve been impressed second and playing well. with the start and think you Fingers crossed, I’m hoping for will be able to establish play-offs at least. yourselves as a league club.

Are you pleased with the club’s What’s your prediction for transfer business? the match today?

Delighted! We have modelled our A tough game for us but one recruitment on mainly young, that we might just sneak by hungry players with a point to the odd goal. prove. Pace, athleticism and a big work ethic are essential ingredients. Mix in a couple of experienced pros and we have a good team.

Who is the fans favourite? Gime Touré

If I had to pick one it would be Gime Touré. He can be mesmerising at times when he has the ball at his feet. He generates that sense of anticipation when he gets the ball. You never quite know what will happen next. Jimmy Glass celebrates his ‘last kick’ equaliser