The Story Of The Blues

http://www.johnstonespainttrophy.com/images/492/original/greg_abbott_v1.jpg


There has been shock at Brunton Park today as Carlisle manager Greg Abbott has left by mutual consent after a row with the board over a lack of transfer funds to expand the team. Carlisle have been in League 1 since 2006 and Abbott has been in charge since 2008.

We got a quick word with Greg a few hours ago

"I have been with Carlisle for some time now, from assistant manager under Neil Macdonald and John Ward and finally becoming manager, which was very proud moment for me. I just wasn't satisfied with the amount of money I was being given to spend. I spoke with the board about it, we could not come to agreement therefore I have left with immediate effect. I wish Carlisle the very best for the future and hope they have a successful campaign."

Carlisle will now be looking to get a new manager as soon as possible with the pre-season friendlies rapidly approaching.






Hope people will follow this, I'll chime in with as many updates as time allows

7 JULY 2010 UPDATE (Game Time)

CARLISLE ANNOUNCE NEW MANAGER

After Greg Abbott's departure from Carlisle, the board have made a decision which has once again shocked the Cumbrian fans.

Relative unknown manager Craig Lucock has been announced as the manager of Carlisle despite having no past experience. Several fans have questioned the board's decision making after this news.

"Craig is obviously not the person who most fans would pick as the replacement to a fantastic man like Greg, but I and the rest of the board truly see something in him. We are confident he will come good in the near future" Said Carlisle chairman John Nixon when we spoke to him about the decision.

We attended a press conference earlier along with some other journalists to ask the key questions to the new man in charge.

J (Journalist): Will you be making any changes to the setup here?
CL (Craig Lucock): The setup here is excellent, with the staff and players more than enough to do well in this league.

J: Will you be involved in the more low-key areas of the team?
CL: I will be involved as much as i can, but some of the staff such as Graham Kavanagh and Tony Caig will obviously have to chip in here and there.

J: What is your exact management style?
CL: The players can come to me with any issue or request they have.

J: Will you be delving into the transfer market this season?
CL: If i do sign any players i will need to make sure they are absolute quality. I will not be signing players for the sake of it.

J: Will Graham (Kavanagh) and Tony (Caig) be staying on or will you be looking to bring in some of your own choices?
CL: Absolutely not, Kav and Tony are excellent staff and are 100% committed to make this team successful, replacing them would be an idiotic move on my part.

J: Do you have any tactical preferences?
CL: I will be trying to entertain the fans with attacking football, that's how the game is supposed to be played.

J: How do you feel about becoming the manager of Carlisle United?
CL: It is truly a dream come true, i am hoping to lead this team to success no matter how long it takes.

8 July Update (Game Time)



The Rumor mill at Carlisle is in full flow with Carlisle showing an interest in 3 players in particular.


20 year old Middlesborough left back Joe Bennet, 19 year old central midfielder Corry Evans and 21 year old Aston Villa midfielder Jonathan Hogg are already rumored to have taken the interest of the Carlisle manager.

Stories have also cropped up at clubs wanting to snap up a few Carlisle players too.

MK Dons are scouting out Carlisle left winger Matty Robson. We spoke to Matty about this earlier.

"I have been at Carlisle for some time now and i do want to stay for some time longer, the offer would have to be very large to even make me consider the move."

Captain Paul Thirlwell is also drawing attention and if he were to leave it would shake up the team because of his importance to the team and its leadership.



More updates to come tomorrow.

Liking this mate, looks very good

Though one thing I will say is don't set yourself too much to do for each update as you may lose interest.

Then again you may not and if you don't then brilliant as I think this could make a brilliant read!

All the best

Thanks bud, i'm pretty sure i'll be able to keep interest in posting and playing. A match report should be coming up soon.

goodtimes! Are you a Carlisle fan or is this more of a random team selection?

8 July 2010 Team Line Ups



The line-ups are in for the intra-squad match between Carlisle and Carlisle Reserves

We caught up with Craig before the game to get his thoughts

"I'm sure it wont be an easy game for us, our reserves have several great prospects such as Steven Swinglehurst and Ryan Bowman, it should be a good test for the first team and give them an opportunity to show me what they can do."

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/CarlisleVsCarlisleReservesLineUps.jpg

Here are the line-ups for the game:


Carlisle:
1. Adam Collin
2. Frank Simek
3. Sean McDaid
4. James Chester (On loan from Man U)
5. Lubomir Michalik (On loan from Leeds)
6. Ben Marshall (On loan from Stoke)
7. Matty Robson
8. Paul Thirlwell
9. Tom Taiwo
10. Gary Madine
11. Francois Zoko

Subs:

Tony Caig (GK)
James Berrett
Kevan Hurst
Jason Price
Peter Murphy
Graham Kavanagh
Craig Curran
Tony Kane
Mark Gillespie (GK)



Carlisle Reserves:

1. Jon Ball
2. Brad Potts
3. Kieran Cahill
4. Lance McGlen
5. Steven Swinglehurst
6. Ben Mckenna
7. Adam Gill
8. Josh Todd
9. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
10. Ryan Bowman
11. Luke Carr

Subs:

Owen Marshall (GK)
Phil Towler
David Symington
Matt Osmond
Andy Cook


Match Report to follow.

@ Tom_BcFC

I am a Carlisle fan yes, i'm guessing you're a Bristol City fan

fu*k me is that paul thirwell?? is he still playing these days.... havent heard of his name is ages

Aye it is Paul Thirlwell, he's still here.

# CraigWL : @ Tom_BcFC

I am a Carlisle fan yes, i'm guessing you're a Bristol City fan

Haha well worked out and hey, no hard feelings about the 2003 LDV Vans Trophy Final

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Football_League_Trophy_Final

CARLISLE UNITED 2 - 0 CARLISLE RESERVES


A fair result which more than flattered the reserves of Carlisle.

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/CarlislevsCarlisleReservesPostMatch.jpg

Carlisle hit the woodwork on 4 occasions, missed on even more attempts but only managed to score 2 goals. The first was a lucky break for Carlisle as a Matty Robson shot rebounded off the post, hit Jon Ball on the back and moved at a snails pace into the bottom corner.

The second was a goal from substitute Craig Curran as he exchanged passes with fellow substitute James Berrett and fired in from 25 yards which once again flew into the bottom corner.

The match was overshadowed by a potential injury to striker Francois Zoko who was replaced by Tony Kane, who was moved to RB and Frank Simek switching to CB in between Murphy and Michalik, forcing Carlisle to play a 5-4-1.



Carlisle:
1. Adam Collin (Gillespie, 86)
2. Frank Simek
3. Sean McDaid
4. James Chester (Murphy, 79)
5. Lubomir Michalik
6. Ben Marshall (Price, 79)
7. Matty Robson (Hurst, 78)
8. Paul Thirlwell (Berrett, 77)
9. Tom Taiwo (Kavanagh, 78)
10. Gary Madine (Curran, 76)
11. Francois Zoko (Kane,86)

Subs:

Tony Caig (GK)
James Berrett
Kevan Hurst
Jason Price
Peter Murphy
Graham Kavanagh
Craig Curran (MOTM)
Tony Kane
Mark Gillespie (GK)



Carlisle Reserves:

1. Jon Ball (GK) (Marshall, 48)
2. Brad Potts
3. Kieran Cahill
4. Lance McGlen
5. Steven Swinglehurst
6. Ben Mckenna (Symington,48)
7. Adam Gill (Osmond, 48)
8. Josh Todd
9. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (Towler, 45)
10. Ryan Bowman
11. Luke Carr (Cook,45)

Subs:

Owen Marshall (GK)
Phil Towler
David Symington
Matt Osmond
Andy Cook

Craig said to us after the game:

"I know I said that the reserves would prove a tough challenge, but Collin didn't have a real shot to save all game, with all respect to the reserves. We should have scored a lot more than 2, Gary and Francois were not particularly impressive, this does not mean they will not be given chances again sometime soon in the pre-season"

"I've spoken to Neil Dalton our physio about the knock Francois took during the game, he has confirmed it is nothing serious, he should be out for roughly 10 days and will miss a game or two before getting back to full match fitness."

@Tom_BcFC

No problem, i believe we got you back by knocking you out of the FA Cup a couple of seasons later, i believe Gary Madine scored his first goal for us that day.

LEAGUE CUP DRAW MADE

Carlisle will play Sheffield United in the first round of the League Cup.


Transfer News:

Carlisle have had offers accepted for Corry Evans, Alex Macdonald and Jonathan Hogg, all expected to arrive on loan until the end of the season.

Carlisle have also offered a contract to Julian Bennett of Middlesborough. They are hoping to get the midfielder to sign a permanent contract with the club.

As documented in the opening press conference for the season, Paul Thirlwell has gotten interest from other teams, especially fellow Npower League 1 team Walsall.

"CL:Paul is an excellent and key player for us, i am very unlikely to sell him, especially to a team in the same league."

LARGE AMOUNT OF SIGNINGS MADE AT BRUNTON PARK

Carlisle have confirmed the signings of these players:

Milan Misun, Left Full Back on loan from Celtic for 6 months:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/images.jpg


Jonathan Hogg, Central Midfielder on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season :

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/JonathanHogg.jpg

Corry Evans,Central Midfielder on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/CorryEvans.jpg

Michael Mifsud,Striker, free agent:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/MichaelMifsud.jpg


Alex Macdonald, Attacking Right Midfielder on loan from Burnley for 3 months:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/AlexMacDonald.jpg

Ali Fuseini, Midfielder, Free Agent:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/AliFuseini.jpg

Alexis Bertin, Defensive Midfielder, Free Agent:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/AlexisBertin.jpg

Joe Bennett, Left Full Back, £92K from Middlesborough:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/CraigWL/JoeBennett.jpg

"CL: I know i will be criticized for making so many signings in such a short space of time, but i am fully confident all these signings will be able to help the team in a big way"