Key men FOR THE BLUEBIRDS

Paul Farman

A regular during Carlisle United’s 2020/21 campaign, experienced goalkeeper Farman turned down a new deal at Brunton Park to become a Bluebird in summer 2021. His youth career started at Newcastle United before making his senior breakthrough at Blyth Spartans and then moving to Gateshead in 2009, where he spent three years. A loan spell at Lincoln City in 2012 resulted in a permanent move to Sincil Bank that summer. He went on to make 250 appearances for The Imps over a six year spell before moving on to Stevenage in 2018 and playing over 75 games at The Lamex Stadium before his switch to Carlisle.

Josh Gordon

Front man Josh Gordon clinched a move to Barrow during the summer following his departure from Walsall where he had netted 27 goals in 123 appearances during three seasons at The Banks’s Stadium.

Niall Canavan

Signing in January 2022 from Bradford City, the centre-back has amassed over 300 career games. A former Republic of Ireland Under-21, it was with Scunthorpe United that the 31-year-old made his name, signing pro in 2009 and going on to play almost 200 games for The Iron. In 2016, a successful loan spell at Rochdale turned permanent and he spent two seasons at Spotland before moving to Plymouth Argyle. After just short of 100 appearances for The Pilgrims, Canavan re-joined Bradford in January 2021. A mainstay in the Bluebirds’ backline since moving to Holker Street, Canavan has been everpresent this season.

Billy Waters

Whitfield

Signing for the Bluebirds from Stockport County in July 2022, the winger started at Bradford City at the age of six before joining Guiseley. at the age of 16, however, joined thenChampionship side AFC Bournemouth just a couple months later. After loan spells at Kidderminster Harriers and Yeovil Town, the 27-year-old joined Port Vale on loan in August 2017 - q deal that was made permanent for the following season. He spent time time at Torquay United between 2019 and 2021, before Stockport snapped up his services last term. He has had a great season so far this season for the Bluebirds, scoring five whilst also making 11 assists.

The 28-year-old began his career on the books of hometown club Stoke City before moving into non-league with Newcastle Town, Nantwich Town and Rhyl. However, a prolific stint for Stafford Rangers earned him a big move to Premier League champions, Leicester City in April 2017. where he was a regular scorer in The Foxes’ Under-23 side before joining Walsall in the Summer of 2018.

Another Summer signing, the 28-year-old front man fired 21 goals for FC Halifax Town last year. A product of Crewe Alexandra’s Academy, Waters made his senior debut for the Alex in November 2013 before moving on to Cheltenham

Town. The hard-working forward was a huge hit with Robins fans, named Player of the Year as his goals helped them back into the EFL at the first attempt before netting a further 16 goals in League Two before he moved to Northampton Town in July 2017. After loan spells at Cambridge, Cheltenham and Newport, he spent much of the 2020/21 campaign at Torquay United before his move to Halifax in July 2021.