Greg's First Summer Signing

61 year old Ian Haymes of Scotland Road, Carlisle can’t wait for the start of the new football season when he takes his place as Greg’s first summer signing. When told of his place in the Carlisle United Squad for next season as Squad number 40, first prize in the Carlisle United Supporters London Branch’s Shine The Light Raffle, Ian announced that he was already skipping on the spot at the end of the phone as his first step in his summer fitness regime.

Ian soon officially informed the club by email of his acceptance saying: “Thanks for the call. I'm still in shock, but looking forward already to the start of the new season. I have a busy close season, however I fully intend to be in tip top condition for the 'friendlies'. If you get the opportunity to speak to Greg, (The Gaffer) let him know that his squad re-build has got off to a cracking start. I am no 'journeyman' and intend to compete for my place in the team. Whilst I'm a bit of a bar to bar player I firmly believe that a mix of youth and experience will guarantee continuing success next term. I'm off to the gym now to get rid of last night's excesses. Speak soon.

Best Regards, Ron ald iano.

P.S. My partner Jan is excited at the prospect of being a WAG at long last!”

Ian expressed surprise at Greg’s scouting methods as he was lurking in the Greyhound Inn at Burgh on Friday night when grabbed by some white haired bloke called Dave who demanded a fiver for the chance to join Greg’s squad. “I only bought his tickets because my brother Mike assured me that he was a genuine representative of the club but I must say that I have been drinking here for many years waiting for the call to help out United and was starting to think they hadn’t noticed me. It is good to know that Greg is using every method to find players of value that will enhance our ability to get promotion next season and once he has paid my bar bill, I will be ready to start pre-season training.”

Ian was one of 17 winners of the Carlisle United Supporters Club London Branch Shine The Light Raffle that was drawn at the Players Award Dinner on Sunday night. Other winners included Raymond Tinnion and Geoff Simpson. Raymond, better known to Carlisle fans as club mascot Olga the Fox, won afternoon tea with Carlisle MP John Stevenson at the House of Commons. Geoff Simpson played for Carlisle United reserves alongside Paul Bannon and Peter Beardsley in the late 70s and is the son of another top United player Ronnie Simpson and also cousin of Paul Simpson. Geoff won the private cricket coaching session for two and a tour of Leicestershire CCC offered by Paul Nixon.

The Shine The Light campaign was launched in October when club legend and London Branch president Hughie McIlmoyle presented a cheque for £1,000 on the pitch before the home game against Brentford. Since then the London Branch has sold fanzines, polo shirts, ebay auctions and finally raffle tickets for “prizes that money can’t buy”. The original target was to raise £5,000 by the end of the 2012-13 season but the campaign has proved so successful that the target was reached a year early.

The cheque for £5,000 was handed over to the club at the Awards dinner on Sunday evening and will be used towards the costs incurred in upgrading the floodlights.

Dave Brown
Information Officer
Carlisle United Supporters London Branch
07977 464060
information@carlislelondonbranch.org
www.carlislelondonbranch.org