Carlisle United F.C. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Carlisle United

Full name	Carlisle United Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Cumbrians, The Blues
Founded	1896; 129 years ago (1896) (Shaddongate United) 1904; 121 years ago (1904) (official)
Ground	Brunton Park
Ground Capacity	17,949
Owner	Castle Sports Group (2023–present)
Chairman	Tom Piatak
Head coach	Mark Hughes
League	League Two
2018–19	League Two, 11th of 24
Home colours Away colours

Carlisle United Football Club is a professional football team from Carlisle, Cumbria, England. The team currently plays in the National League, which is the fifth level of English football.

They have played their home games at Brunton Park since 1909. The team's traditional uniform is blue with white and red details. Their badge uses parts of the city's coat of arms, including two mythical creatures called Wyverns. People call them the "Blues" because of their kit, and also the "Cumbrians." Carlisle United is the closest English professional football club to Scotland.

The club started in 1904. They joined the Lancashire Combination league the next year and won the Division Two championship in 1906–07. They moved to the North Eastern League in 1910 and won that league title in 1921–22. In 1928, they were chosen to join the Football League.

Carlisle United spent 30 years in the Football League Third Division North. Then, they were placed in the new Fourth Division and won promotion from there in 1961–62. They were relegated the next season but then earned two promotions in a row! They finished the 1964–65 season as champions of the Third Division with manager Alan Ashman.

They were promoted from the Second Division in 1973–74, but only stayed one season in the top league, the First Division. They went back down to the Third Division in 1976–77. They were promoted again under Bob Stokoe in 1981–82, but then faced two relegations in a row, returning to the fourth tier by 1987.

Carlisle won promotion as champions of the fourth tier in 1994–95, but were relegated the next season. They won promotion again in 1996–97, only to be relegated the following year. Their 76-year stay in the Football League ended with relegation in 2003–04. However, player-manager Paul Simpson led them to an immediate return after winning the 2005 Conference National play-off final. They then won the League Two title in 2005–06. They stayed in League One until they were relegated in 2013–14. Nine years later, they were promoted back to the third tier after beating Stockport County in the 2023 play-off final.

The club has reached the final of the Football League Trophy six times, which is more than any other team. They won it in 1997 and 2011. They were runners-up in 1995, 2003, 2006, and 2010.

The Story of Carlisle United

How it All Began: Shaddongate United (1896–1904)

Shaddongate United F.C. was first mentioned in 1896 as winners of a local charity shield. They played at Willow Holme and wore blue and gold striped uniforms. At that time, Carlisle Red Rose and Carlisle AFC were the top clubs in the city. But Shaddongate United quickly became popular. By 1903, they were the biggest club in Carlisle.

For a long time, people thought Shaddongate and Red Rose merged to form Carlisle United. This is probably why the club officially chose 1904 as its founding year. However, Red Rose actually continued playing until 1906 before they stopped. More details about the club's early history were discovered only in 2017.

Becoming Carlisle United (1904–1928)

On May 17, 1904, at a meeting for Shaddongate United, the club members voted to change the team's name to Carlisle United. Some people disagreed and formed a separate group that continued as Shaddongate United, but they didn't have much success. The idea for the name change came from officials at Newcastle United. They thought it would help the club join bigger leagues if it represented the whole city.

Carlisle United first played at Millholme Bank, then Devonshire Park, before moving to their current home, Brunton Park, in 1909. Their first recorded game was a friendly match on September 1, 1904, against Victoria Wanderers, another Carlisle team. Wanderers won 2–1.

Carlisle United's first Saturday match was on September 3, 1904, and they won 3–1 against Hexham. A week later, they had an exciting 3–3 draw against Maxwelltown. The new Carlisle United joined the Cumberland Senior League, which had six teams, including their rivals Carlisle Red Rose. Red Rose beat United 2–0 in their first league match, but United got revenge a month later, winning 2–1.

In the 1904–05 season, Carlisle United entered the FA Cup for the first time. They played against Workington, who were the best team in Cumbria then. The cup game was a 2–2 draw, and Workington won the replay 3–1. In the Cumberland Cup, United beat Frizington White Star, Workington, and Keswick. In the final, they played Red Rose again and won 2–0. This win gave them the Cumberland Cup and made them the first team to win both the League and Cup in their first season.

After their successful first season, Carlisle United wanted to join the Lancashire Combination League. They were accepted into Division Two on May 3, 1905. They had to agree to pay for visiting teams' train fares and provide them with tea for two seasons because Carlisle was not in Lancashire. This was a big step for the club.

The club also worked to get better players. They signed players from other local teams, including Carlisle Red Rose, which was having money problems. They also brought in players from further away, like Tom Smith, who came from Preston North End. Smith had even won the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1901.

Carlisle's first game in the Lancashire Combination was on September 2, 1905, at home against St Helens Town. Even with two goals from Smith, they lost 3–2. They also lost 5–1 to Blackpool Reserves. But after signing a new goalkeeper, James Scott, results improved. Carlisle stayed in the middle of the table for most of the season. Their biggest win was 10–2 against Hyde St George's on Christmas Day 1905.

Carlisle finished 13th out of 19 teams. The season ended with a local derby against Workington, who were close to promotion. The match ended 1–1, and Workington missed promotion by one point. Carlisle Red Rose had left the Cumberland Senior League due to money problems but were later allowed back. They played at the Milholme Bank ground that United had just left. The two teams met in the FA Cup and Carlisle United won 3–0.

In 1910, Carlisle United decided to leave the Lancashire Combination and join the North Eastern League. They won the North Eastern League championship in 1922.

The 1927–28 season was Carlisle's last in the North Eastern League. They finished second, 10 points behind Sunderland Reserves. In June 1928, Carlisle United applied to join the the Football League. They received the second-most votes (33) and replaced Durham City, becoming members of the Football League.

Joining the Football League (1928–1964)

Carlisle United won their first Football League game in August 1928, beating Accrington Stanley 3–2. A week later, they had their biggest win ever, 8–0 against Hartlepools United. This record was matched on Christmas Day 1952 when they beat Scunthorpe by the same score. Carlisle finished eighth in their first season, which was their best before World War II. In 1934–35, the club finished last and had to ask to be re-elected to the league, which they were.

When World War II started in 1939, Carlisle United stopped playing national games and only played local football. After the war, they returned to the Football League. They appointed Ivor Broadis as player-manager, making him the youngest manager in league history at just 23.

In 1949, the club hired Bill Shankly as manager. Shankly, who used to play for Carlisle, later became a very famous manager for Liverpool. He helped Liverpool win many trophies. At Carlisle, Shankly met Geoff Twentyman, who later became Liverpool's head scout, and his lifelong friend Ivor Broadis.

Carlisle was in the Third Division North until 1958. Then, it combined with the Third Division South to form the Fourth Division. They stayed there until 1962 when they won their first promotion. They were relegated the next season but quickly bounced back, starting a very successful time for the club.

The Golden Era (1964–1985)

After being promoted to the Third Division in 1964, United immediately won the Third Division Championship the next year. For the next 12 years, Carlisle was a strong team in the Second Division (which was the second-highest league in England). During this time, they finished in the top half of the table seven out of 11 seasons. They even finished third in 1966–67, fourth in 1970–71, and third in 1973–74, which led to their promotion to the top league in English football!

At the end of the 1971–72 season, Carlisle played in their only European competition, the Anglo-Italian Cup. In June 1972, they beat A.S. Roma 3–2 in Rome.

Playing in the First Division for the 1974–75 season, Carlisle won their first three games. This included a 1–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in front of 18,426 fans, which put them at the very top of English football! Players like Chris Balderstone, who scored the penalty that put them at the top, and Bobby Parker were key. However, this success didn't last long. They finished last and were relegated. Still, they had great wins, beating Everton twice and winning at home against champions Derby County, and other big teams like Ipswich Town, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Carlisle almost won the Third Division title in 1981–82, missing out only by goal difference.

Bill Shankly, who had won the FA Cup and League Championship by then, called Carlisle's rise to the top "the greatest feat in the history of the game."

After their short time in the First Division, the club struggled in Division Two and was relegated again in 1976–77, returning to the Third Division after 13 years.

In the 1977–78 season, Bobby Moncur was in charge. Carlisle struggled to win games and had many draws. They played Manchester United in the FA Cup, drawing 1–1 at Brunton Park before losing 4–2 in the replay. Their best player, Billy Rafferty, was sold, and Carlisle finished 13th.

The 1979–80 season started with struggles, but the team looked to improve with new striker Gordon Staniforth, who joined for a club record fee of £120,000. Staniforth joined Paul Bannon and the talented Peter Beardsley. Manager Bobby Moncur left in February, and Martin Harvey took over. Carlisle finished sixth, the same as the previous season.

The 1980–81 season started poorly. Bob Stokoe returned as manager for his second time. Carlisle beat Burnley 3–2 on Boxing Day with a hat-trick from Gordon Staniforth, ending a six-game winless streak. Carlisle avoided relegation to Division Four by just one point.

In 1982, Carlisle was promoted to the Second Division again under Stokoe, finishing second after a 1–0 win at Chester in their last game. They stayed in Division Two for four years. In 1983–84, they almost got promoted to the top league again, spending most of the season in the top three, but a late slump saw them finish seventh.

Tough Times (1986–2005)

Carlisle's successful period ended quickly. They faced two relegations in a row, dropping into the Fourth Division in 1987 for the first time since 1964. Things didn't get better right away. Attendance dropped to the lowest in the club's history.

Carlisle's league form improved after three difficult seasons, and they finished 12th in Division Four in 1988–89. They reached the FA Cup third round, where they lost to Liverpool, who were the league champions and later won the FA Cup. Young defender Steve Harkness was sold to Liverpool at the end of the season.

The club continued to make good progress into the new decade. They were even at the top of the Fourth Division around Christmas 1989 and in January 1990. However, a late slump meant they missed out on the play-offs.

The 1990–91 season started well, suggesting they might finally leave the Fourth Division. But a very bad second half of the season saw them drop to 20th place, and manager Clive Middlemass lost his job.

In 1992, Carlisle had one of their worst seasons, finishing last in the Fourth Division. Luckily, another club, Aldershot, stopped playing mid-season, so no team was relegated to the Conference that year.

A short break from Carlisle's decline came in the summer of 1992 when Michael Knighton took over the club. Knighton had made headlines in 1989 with his attempt to buy Manchester United. He became chairman and chief executive of Carlisle United. He bought most of the club's shares. Over the next three years, the club's fortunes greatly improved. From 1992 to 1996, about £4.5 million was invested to improve the Brunton Park stadium. A new East Stand, with 6,000 seats, opened in August 1996. In October 1993, the club paid a record transfer fee of £121,000 for striker David Reeves. The club also set a new record of 19 games without a defeat.

Before the 1993–94 season, Michael Knighton said he wanted Carlisle to reach the Premier League by 2003. He changed the management team, bringing in Mick Wadsworth as director of coaching and David McCreery as head coach. This season was Carlisle's best in years. They won 10 of their last 14 league games to get into the play-offs in the newly named Division Three, but they lost to Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-finals.

The 1994–95 season was one of the club's most memorable. They won their second championship in club history, topping the Third Division with a record 91 points. David Reeves scored 25 league goals, helping Carlisle finally succeed after eight years in the league's lowest division. This season also saw the club's first visit to Wembley for the Auto Windscreens Shield Final against Birmingham City. A record crowd of 76,663 watched. Birmingham won 1–0 with a Golden Goal in extra time, which was the first time this rule was used at Wembley.

In 1995–96, Carlisle was in Division Two and expected to do well. However, they were surprisingly relegated back to Division Three. A controversial game between Brighton and York City was played after the season ended. York knew they needed to win or score three goals to avoid relegation themselves, and they won 3–1, sending United back down.

The 1996–97 season started well, and the club looked set to return to Division Two quickly. They did achieve promotion, finishing third behind Wigan Athletic and Fulham. Carlisle also made their second visit to Wembley in three years, reaching the Football League Trophy final against Colchester. The game went to extra time and then a thrilling penalty shootout. Carlisle was losing 3–1 on penalties until goalkeeper Tony Caig made two amazing saves. Club captain Steve Hayward then scored the final penalty, winning the trophy 4–3 for Carlisle. This was the first time the club lifted a winner's trophy at Wembley.

After being promoted to Division Two for the 1997–98 season, Carlisle's poor form continued. They won only one of their first six games. Manager Mervyn Day was replaced by a coaching team including Michael Knighton. The main goal was to stay in Division Two, but they finished 23rd and were relegated. Knighton sold the club soon after, and Carlisle entered another difficult period.

In the 1998–99 season, Carlisle was in another relegation battle. In December, Michael Knighton appointed Nigel Pearson as manager. However, his time in charge was very difficult, with only five wins in 27 matches.

The final game of the season on May 8, 1999, created one of football's most famous moments, known as "the great escape." Carlisle United needed to win their last game at home against Plymouth Argyle to stay in the Football League. Scarborough, their relegation rival, only needed a draw against Peterborough. News came through that Scarborough had drawn 1–1. The score at Brunton Park was 1–1 in the 90th minute. The referee announced four minutes of extra time. In the 95th minute, goalkeeper Jimmy Glass, who had joined on an emergency loan, ran into the box for a corner kick. The Plymouth goalkeeper saved a header, but the ball went straight to Glass, who smashed it into the net with the very last kick of the game! The crowd went wild, and fans rushed onto the pitch. The referee blew the whistle to restart the game, and then immediately ended the match, confirming Carlisle's amazing survival.

In June 1999, Michael Knighton resigned as chairman and put his shares up for sale. The 1999–2000 season was another poor one. Despite spending a lot on players' wages, the club barely avoided relegation to the Conference on goal difference. Carlisle lost their final game, but Chester City also lost, meaning Chester was relegated instead.

Ian Atkins was appointed manager for the 2000–01 season. There was hope he could lead them to promotion, but they finished 22nd. Atkins left in July, and Roddy Collins took over.

In the 2001–02 season, the Blues just managed to avoid relegation. Safety was secured in the second-to-last game with a vital goal from Carl Heggs against Lincoln City. A highlight was an FA Cup match at home against Arsenal, where Carlisle narrowly lost 1–0. Off the field, there was a failed takeover attempt, and Roddy Collins was dismissed after criticizing the club's directors.

For the fourth time in five seasons, Carlisle barely avoided relegation in 2002–03. They finished 22nd, just one spot above the relegation zone. This was the first season where two clubs were relegated to the Conference.

After frequently struggling to avoid relegation, Carlisle was finally relegated in 2003–04 after 76 years in the Football League. Relegation seemed likely for a long time, with 18 losses in their first 21 games. However, a comeback followed under new player-manager Paul Simpson, who earned 40 points from the next 25 games. Carlisle finished second from bottom, and their relegation was confirmed when they failed to win their second-to-last game.

Back in the Football League (2005–Present)

Carlisle United celebrating at Wembley after winning the Football League Trophy in 2011.

Carlisle was promoted out of the Conference in their first attempt in 2004–05. They won the play-off final by beating Stevenage Borough 1–0. Carlisle's excellent form under manager Paul Simpson continued the next season as they returned to the Football League with a bang, winning the League Two title. Simpson then left for Preston North End, and Neil McDonald became manager.

In 2006–07, the club was in the middle of the table but made a late push for a play-off spot. They finished eighth, their highest league position in 20 years, and had their highest average home crowds in 30 years. The 2007–08 season started with a 1–1 draw, and manager Neil McDonald was sacked. John Ward took over in October 2007. Under Ward, Carlisle aimed for automatic promotion but finished fourth. In the play-off semi-final, Carlisle lost to Leeds United 3–2 on total score.

The 2008–09 season started well but was followed by one of the club's worst runs. Manager John Ward was sacked and replaced by caretaker manager Greg Abbott, who was later hired permanently. Carlisle had two full seasons with Abbott, finishing comfortably in mid-table. They also had two great runs in the Football League Trophy. They lost in the final in 2010 but returned the next year to win the trophy in 2011. The following season, they had a strong push for the play-offs but missed out by two points.

After a 1–0 home defeat, Abbott's five-year time as manager ended. Assistant manager Graham Kavanagh took over. In May 2014, Carlisle was relegated after finishing 22nd, ending an eight-year stay in the third tier.

In September 2014, Keith Curle became Carlisle United manager. He helped Carlisle move away from the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone. However, they drifted back towards a relegation battle, only securing their Football League safety with two games left. The next season (2015–16) was more comfortable, but not enough for promotion. A highlight was playing Liverpool at Anfield in the League Cup. Carlisle drew 1–1 but lost 3–2 on penalties.

The first half of the 2016–17 season was excellent, with only one loss in their first 23 league games. But then they had a very bad run, with only four wins in the next 21 games. Carlisle barely made the play-offs but lost 6–5 on total score to Exeter City in the semi-final. Keith Curle left Carlisle United at the end of the 2017–18 season. The 2019–20 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Carlisle in 18th place.

In February 2022, Paul Simpson returned as manager when the club was in 23rd place. "Simmo" led the team to eight wins, one draw, and six defeats, which was enough to pull the club out of the relegation zone and keep Carlisle in the Football League, finishing 20th. After securing survival, Simpson signed a new three-year contract. In the 2022–23 season, Carlisle finished fifth, earning a play-off spot. In the play-off semi-final, Carlisle beat Bradford City 3–2 on total score. In the play-off final, the Cumbrians defeated Stockport County on penalties after a 1–1 draw, earning promotion back to League One after nine years.

The 2023–24 season was less successful. Carlisle was immediately relegated back to the fourth tier, finishing 24th, 16 points from safety, with only seven league wins and 30 points. A second relegation in a row looked likely the following season. Simpson was sacked on August 21, 2024, after losing three of the first four league games. His replacement, Mike Williamson, was sacked on February 3, 2025, after only five wins from 25 games, with the club five points from League Two safety. Three days later, Mark Hughes became Carlisle's new head coach. However, Carlisle was relegated to the National League with one game still to play at the end of the 2024–25 season, ending a 21-year period in the EFL.

Team Colors and Badge

Carlisle United's current badge is similar to the city's coat of arms, which was officially registered in 1924.

When Shaddongate F.C. changed its name to Carlisle United in 1904, the club also changed its shirt colors from gold and navy stripes to blue. In 1907, white shorts were added. Since then, the club has used different combinations of blue and white. In 1973, United wore their first shirt with a sportswear sponsor, made by Admiral. This shirt was the first to include red details, which then became a common feature on Carlisle shirts.

The first time Carlisle wore a crest was in the 1950–51 season, during an FA Cup game against Arsenal. The design was based on the city's own coat of arms, which was officially registered in 1924. The red wyverns (dragon-like creatures) on either side of the shield represent the British Kingdom of Cumbria. The motto on the scroll below says: ‘Be just and fear not’, which is a quote from Shakespeare's play Henry VIII.

Carlisle was often called the "Foxes" because of a local connection to a huntsman named John Peel. In 1970, the club badge changed to show this, featuring a golden fox jumping over the letters C.U.F.C. The fox became even more part of the club's image with a stuffed fox named Olga (which is "goal" spelled backward). Olga was traditionally carried onto the pitch by the mascot before matches. Later versions of this badge showed a fox's head with a castle (representing Carlisle Castle) and a fox jumping through a ring of stars.

Since 1995, the club has gone back to using the city's coat of arms as its badge. However, the club still sells items with designs similar to their old fox badge. The club mascot (who is now Olga the Fox) used to continue the tradition of bringing the stuffed fox onto the pitch before each match. This stopped after flood damage in 2015 caused the stuffed fox to get very old and damaged.

Kit Sponsors Over the Years

Stobart Group, a local business, was the club's main shirt sponsor from 1995. Before 2007, the shirts showed the Eddie Stobart name, which was linked to their trucking business. In 2007, it changed to just Stobart to show the wider company. The Stobart deal ended for the 2014–15 season, finishing one of the longest sponsorship deals in English football.

The Stobart Group has been a strong supporter of the club. In 2010, to celebrate their 40th anniversary, the group bought 4,000 tickets for a game and gave them away to the public. On April 3, 2011, Carlisle United wore black armbands in the Football League Trophy final to honor Edward Stobart (Eddie's son), who had passed away three days earlier.

Brunton Park: Carlisle United's Home

As Shaddongate United, the club played at two grounds: Millholme Bank and Devonshire Park. In 1909, five years after becoming Carlisle United, the club moved to Brunton Park and has played there ever since.

The stadium can hold 18,202 people and has both seated and standing areas. The four stands are called the Main (West) Stand & Paddock, the East Stand, the "Waterworks" Petteril Stand, and the Warwick Road End, where the loudest supporters usually gather on match days. In the past, the stadium has been badly damaged by floods and a fire that burned down the old wooden grandstand in 1953.

A view over Brunton Park from the Paddock towards the East (The Pioneer Foods) Stand.

In 2011, there was a plan to move to a new 12,000-seat stadium in the Kingmoor Park area, known as "project Blue Yonder." This new ground would be smaller than Brunton Park but could be made bigger if needed. However, there has been no recent news about this project.

In December 2015 and January 2016, Carlisle played their home games at other stadiums like Deepdale in Preston, Bloomfield Road in Blackpool, and Ewood Park in Blackburn. This was because Brunton Park was recovering from flooding caused by Storm Desmond.

In December 2021, the club announced that the stadium capacity would be temporarily reduced to 9,999. This was because the government required proof of Covid vaccination for events with more than 10,000 attendees.

Who Owns Carlisle United?

Carlisle United is run by a company called Carlisle United Association Football Club (1921) Ltd. This company is currently controlled by Castle Sports Group, which owns 90% of the club's main company, CUFC Holdings Ltd. A smaller part (10%) is owned by The United Trust, which was formed by supporters in 2001. Castle Sports Group is owned by the Piatak Family from Jacksonville, Florida. They also own other businesses, like Magellan Transport Logistics.

In 1992, property developer Michael Knighton bought the club when it was in Division Four. He owned the club for 10 years, and much of the talk around the club was about Knighton himself. At one point, he was even in the local newspaper claiming to have seen a UFO!

In 1997, Knighton fired popular manager Mervyn Day, who had helped the team win promotion and the Football League Trophy that year. Knighton then took charge of the club's management himself. The club was relegated that season and almost lost its Football League status in 1999, saved only by a last-minute goal from goalkeeper Jimmy Glass. Knighton became less and less popular with fans. Supporters formed The United Trust to push for better ownership. In July 2002, after a seven-month struggle, John Courtenay took over, ending Michael Knighton's time as owner.

In recent years, the club has faced challenges, with league positions and attendance declining. The club has gone through its longest period without promotion, with the last one being in the 2005–06 season.

Fans and Rivalries

Most Carlisle United supporters live in and around Carlisle. Because it's the only professional football club for a long distance, it also attracts fans from across Cumbria, South West Scotland, and parts of West Northumberland. The club's supporters are known as the Blue Army. The loudest supporters on match days are in the Warwick Road End at Brunton Park, which fans lovingly call The Warwick. Besides common English football chants, Carlisle's supporters sing "Proud to be a Cumbrian," "Super Carlisle from the North," and a special version of Peggy March's song, "I Will Follow Him."

Carlisle's traditional rivals are Workington and Barrow. However, both of those clubs were voted out of the Football League in the 1970s, so competitive games between them have been rare. Barrow was promoted back to the Football League in 2020, bringing back competitive matches. Before 2008, the closest professional football club was Gretna, owned by a Carlisle United fan. Gretna played in the Scottish Football League, so they were unlikely to play Carlisle in competitive games. Gretna eventually closed down in 2008.

In 2012, a research company surveyed fans of every Football League club to find out who they considered their main rivals. Carlisle United fans surprisingly named more distant clubs like Preston North End, Hartlepool United, and Middlesbrough as their main rivals. This is probably because the survey didn't include non-league clubs as an option.

Players

Current Squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Gabriel Breeze 2 DF Archie Davies 3 DF Cameron Harper 4 DF Terell Thomas 5 DF Morgan Feeney 6 DF Aaron Hayden 7 FW David Ajiboye 8 MF Callum Whelan 9 FW Georgie Kelly 10 FW Regan Linney 11 FW Junior Luamba 13 GK Harry Lewis 14 MF Elliot Embleton 15 DF Sam Murray

No. Position Player 16 MF Stephen Wearne 17 MF Ethan Robson 18 DF Jack Ellis 19 MF Sam Hetherington 20 FW Cedwyn Scott 21 FW Jordan Jones 22 DF Josh Williams 23 FW Charlie Wyke 24 MF Josh Grant 27 MF Jake Allan 29 FW Luke Armstrong 30 GK Jude Smith 34 MF Dan Hopper DF Bevis Mugabi

Under 19's Squad Players in First Team

No. Position Player 25 FW Freddie O'Donoghue 28 GK Thomas Randall

No. Position Player 31 DF Hayden Atkinson 32 MF Jonah Lowes

Players Out on Loan

No. Position Player MF Will Patching (on loan to Coleraine)

Player of the Season Award

Carlisle's Player of the Season award is chosen by the club's supporters.

2001–02	Richie Foran
2002–03	Craig Farrell
2003–04	Brendan McGill
2004–05	Michael Bridges
2005–06	Karl Hawley
2006–07	Karl Hawley
2007–08	Keiren Westwood
2008–09	Cleveland Taylor
2009–10	Richard Keogh
2010–11	James Berrett
2011–12	Lee Miller
2012–13	Matty Robson
2013–14	David Amoo Brad Potts
2014–15	Kyle Dempsey
2015–16	Danny Grainger
2016–17	Nicky Adams
2017–18	Jamie Devitt Clint Hill
2018–19	Adam Collin
2019–20
2020–21	Callum Guy
2021–22	Mark Howard
2022–23	Owen Moxon

Hall of Fame Players

The club's "Hall of Fame" celebrates players who have made a big impact at Brunton Park.

Alan Ashman	Rory Delap	Hugh Mcllmoyle	Billy Rafferty	John Evans	Geoff Twentyman
Tony Caig	Matt Jansen	Alan Ross	Les O'Neill	Les Dagger	Jimmy Whitehouse
Jimmy Glass	David Reeves	Dean Walling	Steve Hoolickin	Hugh Neil	Alf Ackerman
Paul Murray	Ray Train	Bob Stokoe	John Gorman	Willie Carlin	Eric Hayton
Trevor Swinburne	Mark Winstanley	Alan Shoulder	Tony Leach	Peter McConnell	John Billingham
Keith Walwyn	Peter Beardsley	George Bristowe	Bob Hatton	Stan Harland	Billy Hogan
Chris Balderstone	Tony Gallimore	Malcolm Poskett	Stan Bowles	Ronnie Simpson	Jimmy McConnell

Club Management

Coaching Positions

Role	Name
Head Coach	Mark Hughes
First Team Coach	Frankie McAvoy
First Team Coach	Gavin Skelton
Head of Goalkeeping	Jack Cudworth
Performance Director	Chris Bell
Physiotherapist	Sophie Birnie
Assistant Physiotherapist	James Counsell
Strength and Conditioning	Adam Kwiecien
First Team Analyst	Glenn Boden
Head of Recruitment	Martin Foyle
Receuitment Analyst	Jacob Blain
Kit Manager	Emma Maclagan
Academy Manager	Steven Rudd
Head of Academy Coaching	Chris Blake
Lead Professional Development Phase Coach	Mark Birch
Assistant Professional Development Phase Coach	Jamie Devitt
Lead Youth Development Phase Coach	John Foley
Lead Foundation Phase Coach	Warren Matthews
Academy Goalkeeping Coach	Roman Caig
Academy Physiotherapist	Victoria Borrill
Academy Strength Coach	James Pringle
Academy Analyst	Cameron Westmorland
Ladies Manager	Tracy Gannon

Managers Who Won Trophies

These managers have helped Carlisle United win honors.

Greg Abbott	England	2007 (caretaker) 2008 (caretaker) 2008–2013	Football League Trophy winners: 2010–11 runners-up: 2009–10
Paul Simpson	England	2003–2006 2022–2024	League Two winners: 2005–06 Football League Trophy runners-up: 2005–06 Football Conference play-off winners: 2004–05 EFL League Two play-off winners: 2022–23
Roddy Collins	Ireland	2001–2002 2002–2003	Football League Trophy runners-up: 2002–03
Mervyn Day	England	1996–1997	Football League Second Division Third runners-up: 1996–97 Football League Trophy winners: 1996–97
Mick Wadsworth	England	1993–1996	Football League Second Division winners: 1994–95 Football League Trophy runners-up: 1995–96
Bob Stokoe	England	1968–1970 1980 – 1985 1985–1986	Football League Third Division runners-up: 1981–82
Alan Ashman	England	1963 – 1967 1972–1975	Football League Second Division Third runners-up: 1973–74 Football League Third Division winners: 1964–65 Football League Fourth Division runners-up: 1963–64

Club Achievements

League Titles

• Second Division (level 2)
  • Promoted: 1973–74
• Third Division (level 3)
  • Champions: 1964–65
  • Runners-up: 1981–82
• Fourth Division / Third Division / League Two (level 4)
  • Champions: 1994–95, 2005–06
  • Runners-up: 1963–64
  • Promoted: 1961–62, 1996–97
  • Play-off winners: 2023
• Conference (level 5)
  • Play-off winners: 2005
• Lancashire Combination Division One
  • Champions: 1907–08
• Lancashire Combination Division Two
  • Champions: 1906–07
• North Eastern League
  • Champions: 1921–22

Cup Wins

• Football League Trophy
  • Winners: 1996–97, 2010–11
  • Runners-up: 1994–95, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2009–10
• Cumberland Senior Cup
  • Winners (29): 1901–02, 1902–03, 1904–05, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1912–13, 1921–22, 1923–24, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1979–80, 1989–90, 1992–93, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2018–19

Carlisle United's League Journey

A chart showing Carlisle United's league position each season since joining the Football League.

Carlisle United has played 82 seasons in the Football League. Their relegation in 2004 and return the next year is the only time they have left the Football League since 1928 (not counting wartime). United is the only club to have reached the final of the Football League Trophy six times. With two wins, they are the most successful club in that competition's history. The club's biggest achievement outside of cup competitions was in 1974 when they were promoted to the top tier of English football and spent a short time at the very top of the league. Carlisle is still the smallest place in England, by local population, to have had a top-flight football team since 1906.

Club Records

• Highest League position: 22nd in Football League Division One (1st tier), 1974–75
• Best FA Cup performance: Quarter-finals, 1974–75
• Best Football League Cup performance: Semi-finals, 1969–70
• Best Football League Trophy performance: Winners, 1996–97, 2010–11
• Best FA Trophy performance: 5th Round, 2004–05
• Best Anglo-Italian Cup performance: Group Stage, 1972
• Record Victory: 8–0 vs. Hartlepools United Division Three North, 1 September 1928
• Record Defeat: 1–11 vs. Hull City Division Three North, 14 January 1939
• Most League Goals in a Season: 113, Division 4, 1963–64
• Most Wins In a Row: 8 Wins, 1 October 2016 to 9 November 2016
• Most league goals in a season by one player: Jimmy McConnell, 42 goals, 1928–29
• Most league goals in total by one player: Jimmy McConnell, 126 goals, 1928–32
• Most league appearances: Alan Ross, 466 games, 1963–79
• Most capped player: Dean Furman, 58 caps for South Africa 2020–21
• Record transfer fee paid: Joe Garner, £140,000 from Blackburn Rovers
• Record sale: Matt Jansen, £1.5 million to Crystal Palace

See also

In Spanish: Carlisle United Football Club para niños