Football Season Guide

Carlisle United will be hoping to bounce straight back after being relegated from League One. Last season was a footballing disaster for the Cumbrians as Paul Simpson’s side failed to get to grips with a higher level. They never recovered from a poor start and suffered the ignominy of finishing bottom of the table having accumulated just 30 points from their 46 matches. Simpson had to deal with problems through the campaign with poor performances in each and every area of the pitch. Key men Jon Mellish and Callum Guy both suffered long-term injuries and the refusal of key midfielder Owen Moxon to sign a new deal also didn’t help and he was sold to Portsmouth in January. There was also a takeover of the club by American businessman Tom Piatak, which was completed shortly before Christmas, and the death of long-standing Chairman Andrew Jenkins shortly after the end of the season. All these factors created a state of flux and this summer therefore represents a complete re-set. Piatak has shown faith in Simpson in allowing him the chance to rebuild the squad as they look to repeat the success of the 2022/23 season. That process started in January with Harry Lewis signed from Bradford City as first-choice goalkeeper. Big money was also paid to Harrogate Town for striker Luke Armstrong and both players will be expected to step up this season. Mellish is expected to be fit for the start of the new campaign but Guy won’t ready until the clocks go back. As is often the case for a geographical outpost like Carlisle, recruitment can be tricky and so it has proved again. Midfield playmaker Ethan Robson and striker Charlie Wyke are the standout signings so far, although the former will miss at least three months after suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season.