Carlisle United. Keith Curle will be hoping to collect all three points in his side’s bid for League 1 football next season, as will Michael Flynn, to help secure safety and League 2 football for his Exiles next season.Cumbrians –The final away trip of the season is also the longest! Brunton Park is the destination where we face the play-off chasing
Founded 112 years ago as Shaddongate United, originally the club played at Milhome Bank, before moving to Devonshire Park and finally settling for the destination this Saturday, Brunton Park. It turns out Carlisle isn’t just a long way away for Newport as in1905, Carlisle United joined the Lancashire Combination but were only admitted after agreeing to pay all visiting teams’ travel expenses for two years, due to Carlisle not being located in Lancashire. After moving to the North Eastern League, the Cumbirans won it in 1922. Carlisle finished 10 points behind nearest rivals and eventual champions Sunderland Reserves in their last season in the North Eastern League after being voted in to the Football League and replacing Durham City in 1928. Carlisle were members of the Third Division North until 1958 when it combined with the Third Division South to become the Fourth Division. Five years later began Carlisle’s most famous period in their history after promotion to the third division in 1962.. After promotion to the First Division in 1974-75, the Cumbrians were briefly top of the Football League Pyramid after three straight wins but the success was short lived, The Blues eventually finished the season bottom of the League, relegated back to Division 2. In the 1998–99 season Carlisle found themselves in their second successive relegation battle and needing to gain three points from the final game of the season at home to Plymouth Argyle. At 90 minutes the crowd at Scarborough (Carlisle's relegation rival) were already celebrating before the fourth official stated four minutes of extra time would be played at Brunton Park. In the last kick of the game goalkeeper Jimmy Glass, who had signed in an emergency loan deal from Swindon Town after the transfer deadline, scored from a corner kick which he came up to in a last gasp effort to win the match. In recent times, Carlisle have seen off any relegation threat and are on the rise, looking to complete promotion back from whence they came - League 1.
The Ground – Brunton Park
Constructed in 1909, Brunton Park is the stadium furthest away from South Wales! Over a 5-hour trip to the North where will be welcomed by a stadium that holds 16,202. Over 10,000 of this capacity is standing, making for a truly epic noise on matchday! Some may remember when Storm Desmond flooded Brunton Park in 2015 forcing the Cumbrians to play at Preston’s Deepdale, Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road and Blackburn’s Ewood Park. Also an awful fire hit this much-affected ground in 1953, the whole of the Grandstand was burnt to ash and the West Stand was built and replaces it to this day. This stand is known as the Paddock, holding a maximum of 6,000 people. The other stands are the Warwick Road End, holding 3,500 spectators and also known to house the most vocal Carlisle fans. The Pioneer Foods Stand holds Round game which ended in a 3-3 draw.rd6,000 fans and is an all-seater single-tiered cantilever stand, this is where the County fans will be on Saturday, making all the noise and taking over Brunton Park as we have done a every away venue we have visited this season! Last but not least is the Waterworks end, this stand hosts up to 2,000 but is normally closed unless a huge crowd is expected! The record attendance for a game at Brunton Park was for the visit of Birmingham City, an FA Cup 3
Did You Know?
Carlisle still remains the smallest location in England, by local population, to have had a resident top-flight football team since 1906. Bill Shankly, anFA Cupand League Championship winning manager by that time, branded Carlisle's climb to the top as “the greatest feat in the history of the game.”
Rivalries!
Recent surveys show that Middlesbrough are seen as Carlisle’s biggest rivals, followed by Hartlepool United.Carlisle's traditional local rivals are Workington, however the west Cumbrian club have not featured in the Football League since 1977 and consequently competitive matches between the two teams are extremely rare. Prior to 2008 the club's nearest professional football club was Gretna F.C., who at one time played in European football thanks to the financial input of Brooks Mileson (a United supporter also, who once tried to buy United).
Star Man – Jabo Ibehre
Born in Islington, London, the 6ft 2in target man striker has amassed 15 goals this season in the League and Cup and is a brilliant force up front for the Cumbrians. Brought p through Leyton Orient’s youth ranks, Ibehre has played at a number of different clubs, mostly on loan, including: Southend United, Colchester United, Barnsley and Oldham Athletic. The 34-year-old’s most profilic spell as a forward has come while at his current club – Carlisle. County’s defenders will have to be on their toes to deal with the pace, strength and brute force Ibehre has in his locker!
The Gaffer – Keith Curle
Curle played for Manchester City, Bristol Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderes in an illustrious career spanning over twenty years. Curle also played for his national side England winning three full caps as well as four for the ‘B’ side. Curle has managed four clubs apart for the Cumbrians, Mansfield Town, Chester City, Torquay United and Notts County. Curle’s most successful managerial tenure was enjoyed at Notts County where he broke the41-year record by going unbeaten away from home in the league in 10 consecutive games for the first time since 1971. After finally losing to Leyton Orient, the record of 22 away league games without defeat came to an end. Curle had a 45% win rate while at Notts and although he has been successful at Carlisle, he only has a 38% win rate to show for his efforts.
Directions – Brunton Park
Car
Leave the M6 at junction 43 and take the A69 towards Carlisle. After a mile you will reach the ground on your right. The club car park which costs £2.50, can be found by turning right immediately before Brunton Park (it is well advertised). Otherwise street parking is available.
Post Code for SAT NAV: CA1 1LL
Train
As it is Bank Holiday, travelling by train is NOT recommended due to limited service Saturday evening.
Brunton Park is situated about a mile from Carlisle Citadel Railway Station, but is relatively easy to get to. Upon exiting the station's main entrance, walk the short distance around the Crescent until reaching Warwick Road. You will be able to see the old Main Stand and the strangely-shaped roofs of the Warwick Road End after walking for about twenty minutes. There are directions to the away supporters' turnstiles above the Carlisle United club shop.
Buy your tickets on the gate (cash only)
You can still join us there!