A mixed bag this week in the two friendlies against higher grade opposition. It was a good performance on tuesday against Hull when we were unlucly to go down 2-1 . Yesterday we lost 2-0 to Boro where we failed to repeat the same performance. Josh Gowling has gone out on loan to Gillingham. Congratulations to Chris Tembey who became a father this week and should be signing up baby Lucas as our youngest member.

Teamcard

Carlisle United are launching an exclusive new loyalty membership card for Blues fans which will save them cash while also earning money for their club this season. All London Branch members will receive this card as part of their renewal.

http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10361~1730170,00.html

Opposition Views

Do you have friends, family or colleagues that support Oldham, Southampton, Walsall or Norwich? Ask them to write an “Opposition View “ for Hit The Bar! Send an email saying which team you can cover to Dave Brown editor@carlislelondonbranch.org and he will send back the questions to ask.

Pre-season Friendly Match Reports

If you go to any of the pre-season games remember to send in your match reports for Hit The Bar! to Dave Brown editor@carlislelondonbranch.org before July 31st. 3-400 words would do, comments re Pidgley, Robson etc very helpful. Pics also very welcome .

Mike Carruthers’ Sepp Blatter Challenge

Sepp Blatter has offered Carlisle the chance to send a squad to the world cup, so you have to select a squad of 22 players and a manager. The players must have played for and the manager must have managed Carlisle Utd. The squad must be made up of 3 Goalies, 6 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 6 strikers. To add a lighthearted touch the final player is your wildcard and doesn't necessarily have to have played for Carlisle, but they must have a Carlisle connection for example it could be a well known Carlisle character past or present.

You must give the reason for: Your choice of manager, Your choice of wildcard (including explaining the Carlisle connection if it isn't obvious).

The most popular squad and the best managers, wild cards and reasons will appear in Hit The Bar! Send your squads to Dave Brown editor@carlislelondonbranch.org before July 31st.

Photos

Send any pics to Dave Brown editor@carlislelondonbranch.org . You in the colours on your hols, meeting other members at pre season games.

Prediction Competitions

The final standings of the 08-09 prediction competition are up on our website http://www.carlislelondonbranch.org/features/prediction0809.php

This year’s form can be downloaded from here. Please have a go and circulate to family and friends.

Carling is inviting Carlisle United fans to take part in the Carling Cup Predictor Challenge, which lets fans show off their football knowledge for the chance to win Carling prizes and tickets to the Carling Cup Final. To play the game, fans simply predict the score of the Carling Cup matches for each round. It's free to play, and winners from each round will receive a case of Carling, a Carling sports bag and t-shirt.

I've set up a mini league called CUFCLondonBranch and the password is brunton.

http://www.carling.com/carlingcup/predictor/

A Day in the Life

Read about what Andy Hall used to get up to and what's in store for him this season
http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/FeaturesDetail/0,,10794~1707820,00.html

Fanzone Blogger?

Sky Sports are looking for one representative from each of the 72 Football League clubs to become a FanZone website correspondent for the 2009/10 season.

As a FanZone correspondent, you will write regular blogs to give a fan's eye view of your club - and see them published on www.skysports.com/fanzone. The chosen fans will also need to be available to give their partisan opinions on the key issues and major stories at their club as they happen throughout the season and be willing to create lively debate on the site.

Full details on official website at http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10361~1729814,00.html

Social

Tony Little has arranged an evening at the Comedy Store at Leicester Square, including a meal beforehand for 3rd September. There are only two tickets left. Please contact him at social@carlislelondonbranch.org to register your interest.

Branch Meeting

Our next meeting is at 8pm Thursday 20th August at the Civil Service Club. Please register your attendance with Alan Millington at information@carlislelondonbranch.org particlarly should you wish to join us for a meal at 6.30pm. Please come along and help shape the direction of the season by contributing some ideas.


Neil Nixon's Blueseason 2008/2009 covering the campaign that almost ended in League Two is now available, innovations this year include a section for fans to leave their comments on the season, one or two of the London Branch contributed.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carlisle-United-Blueseason-Neil-Nixon/dp/075521143X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246824471&sr=1-1


Do you live more than 60 miles from Brunton Park ? If so the ex pat ticket could be for you http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/page/TicketNews/0,,10361~1723046,00.html



**** The season kicks off in less than 2 weeks so we are now taking orders for Millwall on 15th August and Orient on 29th August from MEMBERS THAT HAVE RENEWED AND HAVE MONIES IN THEIR TDS . It is important that you use tickets@carlislelondonbranch.org ( that can be re-directed to the collator who may change for different games) , so please save this in your address book.

Our new pre home match meeting place is the Woodrow Wilson on Botchergate. If you are going up for any home game, let me know and I will put you in touch with other Branch members to meet here for a beer before the game.


Keep the faith,

Simon Clarkson


*** 26 July 2002 - Michael Knighton accepts takeover terms offered by John Courtenay ( reproduced with kind permission from ' On This Day ' ).