Football Season Review

After seeing their side narrowly missing out on a Play-off place last season, Carlisle fans were hoping that their side could improve this term and make the top six. However, it was clear from the very beginning that things would not go according to plan, as the Cumbrians collected only a point from their opening two games, and also lost key striker Lee Miller to a long term injury in the second game of the season. Despite Miller's absence, the away form remained good, but the home form, which was Carlisle's bread and butter last season, significantly deteriorated, as Greg Abbott's men managed to win only two of their opening 11 home games, and recorded several humiliating defeats in those matches. It was already clear midway through the season that the Cumbrians would be fighting against the drop, and the atmosphere around the club was made worse by the fact that Paddy Madden was allowed to join Yeovil after hardly getting a chance at Carlisle. He went on to become the division's top scorer. However, the home form started to improve during the festive fixtures - Carlisle managed to beat rivals Hartlepool and Bury in back to back home matches and built on that after the turn of the year, as they lost only two of the ten home games played in 2013. with one of the defeats being a defeat to Colchester in the final round. Without doubt, one of the reasons for the upturn in fortunes was the return from injury of Lee Miller, while Rory Loy, who returned from a 12 month injury lay-off, also chipped in with a few important performances. United were extremely reliant on Matty Robson earlier in the season, also managed to deal with an injury plagued period that the talented winger had late in the season, and they went on to secure their survival with four matches to spare. Without doubt, the majority of fans wouldn't have taken a 17th place finish if offered to them prior to the start of the season, but it has to be said that Abbott did a good job of steadying the ship and preventing the side from getting dragged into a real relegation battle. With the club making a step backwards this season, the following campaign is expected by many to be a defining season for the club - the Cumbrians are not well off financially, but Abbott will expect to be allowed to make at least a couple of signings in order to enable his side to stay clear of danger next term.

Player of the Season: Matty Robson