Mar 1st (Tue)

CHARLTON A. 1 CARLISLE UTD 3
A terrific bounce back from the side. Having been 1-0 down and looking flat in the first quarter, the team gradually starting winning their individual battles all over the park and had left some faces the same colour as their shirts on the Charlton team by the end of the game (take a bow Elliot the CAFC keeper especially). Marshall ran the show and scored the first before Curran and Loy set up a very comfortable win in the second half. The average age of the six occupying the midfield and forward line was just 21 years.

* Player Ratings: Collin 7.5, Simek 7, Livesey 8, Murphy 6.5, Robson 7.5, Noble 8, Berrett 7, Taiwo 7, Marshall 9 (star man), Curran 8.5, Loy 8.5.

Lubo and Cooper both return to light training duties. Thirlwell is also not far from joining them.

Adam Rundle (for older readers) joins Gateshead on loan from Morecambe. I expect his dad still thinks he’s the best player in English football behind Fabregas, Wilkshire and a couple of the Man United team.

Mar 2nd (Wed)

The club consider an appeal to the FA after being found as equally culpable as Oldham in the recent Battle of Boundary Park. The £3,750 hole in the club budget is considered one that couldn’t be left unchallenged.

Mar 3rd (Thu)

CARLISLE UTD YOUTH 0 ROCHDALE YOUTH 2
Still a work-in-progress with planning for next season being made, the Youth team go down at home to the league leaders. They seem to have tapped into a Cumbrian trait at the moment of winning their away games but throwing the points away when playing at home.


Highly-rated Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter (21) joins on a 1-month loan having recently signed an extended contract with the Cherries. A versatile player, he can play on the left, on the right or down the middle. Arter joined Bournemouth last June from Woking; hopefully the similarities with Raphael Nade end there…….

Arter’s arrival signals the end of Gbarrsin’s short spell at the club as he goes on loan to Walsall until the end of April. It had to be either there or Swindon. After four starts and one sub appearance, Jason Price comes back in the other direction after the end of his one-month loan.

The Cumberland Cup match against Wigton is arranged for Brunton Park on Wednesday 30th March.


Former defender Tony Kane is doing quite well in his new career as he scores 11 minutes into his debut for Cliftonville in a 2-0 away win over Newry City.

* Taken as an average from the CUFC online messageboard.

Mar 5th (Sat)

BRIGHTON & HA 4 CARLISLE UTD 3
A brilliantly entertaining match and deserving of the well-trodden cliché of being a great advert for First Division football saw goals from Taiwo, Marshall and debutant Arter fail to prevent an impressive Albion side and their march to the title. Glenn Murray scored his customary goal against his old side while missing a number of others.

* Player Ratings: Collin 5, Simek 6, Livesey 5, Murphy 3, Robson 7, Noble 6, Berrett 6, Taiwo 7, Marshall 6, Curran 7, Loy 6. Subs: Zoko 9 (star man), Arter 7, Madden 7.

Mar 7th (Mon)

BURY YOUTH 3 CARLISLE UTD YOUTH 2
Goals from Sloan and Swinglehurst weren’t enough to prevent a third successive defeat.

The Youth Squad in place for 2011/2 is at this time as follows –

Second years: Mark Beck, Adam Gill, Dan Jones, Lance McGlen, Brad Potts, David Symington, Josh Todd.
Second year work experience: Will James (defender).

First years: Tom Berwick (winger/midfielder), Jamie Clarey (striker), Brendan Gwinnutt (midfielder), Jack Lynch (midfielder), Dale Minor (left back), Dylan Morse (defender), Jordan Parker (keeper).

Schoolboy forms: Kyle Dempsey (midfielder).

Mar 8th (Tue)

CARLISLE UTD 1 HARTLEPOOL 0
Old boys Paul Murray and Ewan Horwood couldn’t prevent 10-man Carlisle from returning to winning ways. The night start badly with Livesey putting a slight tear in his hamstring during the warm-ups and being replaced at the last minute by Cooper and appeared to be heading south when Noble was given a harsh looking red card for his tackle on Sweeney just before half-time. The monkey-hangers eventually paid for an anaemic display in the 2nd half when Zoko’s superbly executed overhead kick on 67 minutes settled the game.

* Player Ratings: Collin 6.11, Simek 6.67, Cooper 7.22, Murphy 7.33 (star man), Robson 5.56, Noble 4.33, Berrett 5.67, Taiwo 6.78, Marshall 6.67, Curran 6.44, Zoko 6.11.

Murphy joins the CUFC ‘400 club’ during March after making 400 league and cup appearances. He now trails three legends ahead of him, Balderstone (427), Parker (429) and Ross (542).

Mar 10th (Thu)

Devastating news for Sean McDaid as the fullback calls it a day after his recurrent knee injury flared up again against Exeter City earlier in the season.

Mar 11th (Fri)

United’s Wembley ticket sales go past the 10,000 barrier.

Mar 12th (Sat)

CARLISLE UTD YOUTH 2 TRANMERE YOUTH 3
Two goals from Beck were not enough to save the team from another defeat having been reduced to 10 men through McKenna’s sending off despite a flying start on 90 seconds with Beck finishing off the latter’s square ball.

PETERBOROUGH 6 CARLISLE UTD 0

Absolutely stuffed out of sight. Taxi for everyone. Next!

* Player Ratings: Collin 5, Simek 3, Cooper 2, Murphy 4, Robson 2, Arter 4, Berrett 5, Taiwo 5, Marshall 4, Curran 5, Zoko 3. Subs: Madden 4, Loy 4.

Mar 13th (Sun)

Youth team second years Matt Osmond (defender/midfielder), Mark Sloan (striker) and Phil Towler (midfielder) have been informed that they will not be offered professional contracts when their current two-year YTS stay at the club comes to an end.

Mar 15th (Tue)

CARLISLE UTD 1 PLYMOUTH 1
A typical late season struggle with one side sitting comfortably in mid-table being held by one in desperate need for the points. Michalik and Thirlwell came in for the suspended Cooper and Arter while Murphy notably became only the third person to make 400 league and cup appearances for the club. A Zoko through ball and Robson cut back set up Berrett to half-volley in on 34 minutes but display fine displays from both Taiwo and Curran, it’s once again a soft free-kick and poor marking at a dead ball situation that lets the Pilgrims steal a point on 84 minutes.

* Player Ratings: Collin 6.6, Simek 5.8, Michalik 5.0, Murphy 6.6, Robson 4.8, Thirlwell 6.6, Berrett 5.8, Taiwo 6.0, Marshall 6.2, Curran 6.8 (star man), Zoko 6.0.

Mar 16th (Wed)

Carlisle’s Paddy Madden is called into the Eire under-21 squad for their friendly away at Portugal on March 25th.

Mar 18th (Fri)

Defender Steve Swinglehurst is offered his first pro contract with a one year deal. Ben McKenna is likewise offered his first pro deal having made his full debut this season. On the same day, there’s also a call up for the Northern Ireland U19s for their double header against Slovakia on April 11th and 13th.

Mar 19th (Sat)

CARLISLE UTD 1 BOURNEMOUTH 0
The giddy heights of 8th place are regained with a hard fought victory against a faltering Bournemouth side. Match winner Murphy buried a volley from close range following a half-cleared Berrett corner returned into the box by the same player. Six players were booked in a largely bad tempered affair.

* Player Ratings: Collin 7.38, Simek 5.88, Michalik 6.75, Murphy 8.13 (star man), Robson 6.38, Thirlwell 7.0, Berrett 6.38, Taiwo 6.75, Marshall 5.38, Curran 6.38, Zoko 5.63. Sub: Madden 6.0

Mar 20th (Sun)

Better news for this year's crop of released second years with several securing work experience packages at the following clubs:
Jon Ball – Gateshead, Paddy O'Brien – Clitheroe, Matt Osmond - Billington Synthonia, Mark Sloan – Workington and Phil Towler – Penrith.

Mar 22nd (Tue)

Rumours commence about Zoko going to Spain in the summer with the Daily Mail Sport amongst others suggesting that Sporting Gijon and Real Valladolid are both interested. The trigger for the rumour has been the supposed awareness of a £100,000 buy-out clause in his contract. The following day, further reports put current Premiership side Wigan in the ‘Chase-for-Zoko’ ™. The producers of Ant and Dec’s Push The Button show are also said to be looking at the possibility of bringing CFZ to ITV screens in a Benny Hill style sequence each week.

Mar 23rd (Wed)

United announce that they are to install a new fan-friendly; Big Brother is watching you computerised entry system that will “revolutionise match days and ticket sales at Brunton Park”. Start the revolution more like if it goes norks up. Fans will be able to print off match day tickets at home via an e-ticketing facility (thus saving on petrol costs) and season tickets will be replaced by TeamCards scanned on entry by stewards. The new ticketing system is due to be installed in the summer and be operational for United's pre-season fixtures.
The same day sees the club announce that the new 2011/12 season tickets will be on sale from Tuesday 5 April 2011; pricing to be advised later.

JPT final opponents Brentford have an injury crisis of their own with the news that striker Charlie MacDonald (ankle ligament damage) and keeper Richard Lee (suspected dislocated shoulder) will almost certainly miss the Cumbrian drubbing final.

Mar 24th (Thu)

Human library book Jason Price is lent out of the van to Hereford for the rest of the season. Any late return fees accrued by the Bulls will almost certainly be waived by the club.

MK Dons confirm the signature of former Blues midfielder Adam Clayton on loan until the end of the season having had an in and out eight-game loan spell with Peterborough earlier in the season.

An operating profit of £110k is declared by the club for the first six months of the financial year. The figure includes the income from the Harte transfer and additional drip fed payments from Watford for the Graham transfer but not the take-the-money-and-run rumoured £800,000 arising from Gary Madine’s transfer to the Owls.

Mar 25th (Fri)

CARLISLE UTD YOUTH 1 WREXHAM YOUTH 2
A mountain to climb created by two soft goals in the first half couldn’t be overcome. Apart from the final ten minutes when Symington was pushed up front and pulled one back to put a bit of pressure on the Welshmen, Kinder admitted it was a very poor performance overall. The slight mitigation is that the released second years no longer feature in the side.

BRENTFORD 2 CARLISLE UTD 1
Despite facing an opponent literally playing Mr Bean at left-back, it was unfortunately Carlisle’s comedic defending that separated the sides in the end as they allowed U-19 German international Jeffrey Schlupp to steal two late goals; the first from a long ball left between two defenders and the second from a series of half clearances within the Carlisle box. Despite two good opportunities for Curran, it wasn’t until Michalik’s 88th minute set piece thunderbolt that the reserve keeper was beaten.

* Player Ratings: Collin 5.5, Simek 6, Michalik 6, Murphy 7 (star man), Robson 5.5, Thirlwell 6, Berrett 4.5, Taiwo 6.5, Marshall 6, Curran 4, Arter 5.5.

Paddy Madden comes on in the 56th minute for Eire under-21's in their 2-0 defeat against Portugal.

Mar 28th (Mon)

In the final round of the publicly voted JPT ‘Ultimate Finish’ Competition for the best goal in the round, Tom Taiwo’s half volley from the edge of the area after Zoko’s surging run down goal v Huddersfield just beats Brentford player Sam Saunders.

Vince Pericard’s contract at Swine-don hasn’t been renewed and he looks set for pastures new in the summer.

Mar 29th (Tue)
YEOVIL TOWN 1 CARLISLE UTD 0
Obika’s finish from Bowditch’s through ball on 58 minutes settled a game. Carlisle’s best chance came on 84 when Noble’s fine cross found Ben Marshall alone at the far post but he managed to blaze over from just a few yards out.

*Player Ratings: Collin 7, Simek 7, Michalik 7, Murphy 7 (star man), Robson 7, Taiwo 6, Thirlwell 7, Berrett 5, Zoko 3, Curran 4, Marshall 6. Subs: Arter 6, Noble 6, Madden 5

The free-to-air JPT final highlights are scheduled for prime time BBC2 on Sunday evening, … er, at 11:00PM - 11:40PM.

Mar 30th (Wed)

CARLISLE UTD RESERVES 7 WIGTON HARRIERS 0 – CUMBRIA CUP QUARTER FINALS
A relatively strong Carlisle side featuring Bowman (left), Loy (central) and Madden (right) upfront and Wells in front of a midfield two of Noble and Todd brushed aside an outclassed Wigton side. The back line also featured 63 year-old leviathan Graham Kavanagh in the centre. On 6 minutes Madden met a Swinglehurst cross at the back-post to head back across keeper and into far corner. Four minutes later Madden crossed in from right and Bowman heads back across keeper and into the far corner. Further chances came and went until the same partnership made it 3-0 on 18. Potts was given a free header on 32 from a Noble corner to make it 4-0 and Bowman’s fine run and chipped cross set up Loy running in for a header into far top corner for 5-0. Bowman completed his hat-trick just after the restart and the fun was finished on 66 with Wells picking out Madden and his left foot drive from 12 yards going low into the bottom corner for the magnificent 7. Has a representative Carlisle United side ever lost a game by a 7-0 scoreline (Reserves v Celtic) and then followed it with a 7-0 victory in their next game? Has any side ever achieved that?
With it finishing Northbank 0-2 Netherhall in first semi-final last Saturday, United now face Gillford Park at home on Wednesday 6th April at 7pm in the remaining semi-final. The final is set to be played on Wednesday 27th April.

Team: Mark Gillespie, Dave Symington (Adam Gill 69), Steven Swinglehurst (c), Josh Todd, Brad Potts, Graham Kavanagh, Rory Loy, Liam Noble (Phil Towler 61), Ryan Bowman, Nahki Wells, Paddy Madden.


The club launch details for their 2011/2012 season ticket packages.
Under-sevens remain free while the club are launching an under-11 season ticket priced at just £6 as part of an on-going strategy to encourage more families, and in particular youngsters, to attend home games. Both require an adult ticket to be purchased.
A new Direct Debit payment scheme will offer 10 months' interest free payments subject to a £10 admin fee.
Existing season ticket holders will have an exclusive renewal period from Tuesday April 5 until Thursday April 28 where the club will give the first 50 season ticket renewals a free 2011/12 home shirt 48 hours before they go on sale.
The Early Buy period runs from Tuesday May 3 until Friday June 17 and then General sales from Monday June 20 until Friday July 22, 2011. All renewals can be made on-line.
Match day tickets will increase by £1 for the next campaign.

Adult Renewal prices/ Early Bird/ General Sale
Adult (Seated - Season) £390/ £405/ £430
Adult (Seated – Match Day Advance) £20*
Adult (Terrace - Season) £310/ £325/ £345
Adult (Terrace - Match Day Advance) £16*

* £2 more if bought on the day


Midfielder Harry Arter is recalled by Bournemouth after his 1-month loan spell ends despite a request to continue. Talk about sore losers! Arter played in four games for the Cumbrians.


In other local news, the Scott Mills morning breakfast show announces that Radio One’s Annual Big Weekend event will be held in Carlisle at the Airport site on the 14th and 15th May having been at Bangor last year and Swindon, Maidstone, Preston, Dundee and Sunderland before that. The good news is that the event is free. The bad news is that there were almost half a million applications last year for the 10,000 pairs of tickets available each day although Carlisle residents receive a degree of preferential treatment as does those from the surrounding area.

The main stage line-ups are announced as;
Nicole Scherzinger, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding, Plan B, Chase and Status, Tinie Tempah, Black Eyed Peas and the headlining Foo Fighters playing on the Saturday.

Olly Murs, Bruno Mars, The Wombats, Professor Green, Katy B, The Script, Taio Cruz, My Chemical Romance play on Sunday with some odd woman called Lady Gaga headlining.


* Taken as an average from the CUFC online messageboard / ** Match attendee