A look at next season's rivals continues with the Cumbrians
A look at next season's opponents continues with Carlisle United
Who are ya?
Carlisle were relegated to League 2 a year ago and finished 20th last season.
Who’s in charge?
Keith Curle was appointed manager at Brunton Park in September 2014. His managerial career started at Mansfield Town in 2002 and also included spells with Chester City, Torquay United and Notts County. He also worked under Neil Warnock on the coaching staff at Crystal Palace and QPR. As a player, Curle won three England caps in 1992 including an appearance in the European Championships and played over 700 domestic games including a lengthy spell in the top flight with Manchester City. He represented both clubs in his home town of Bristol and the 51-year-old also played for Mansfield, Wimbledon, Sheffield United and Barnsley.
Last season
Carlisle flirted with the relegation places for much of the campaign but two wins and a draw in their last four games dragged them away from trouble. In the cup competitions they lost to Derby County in the first round of the Capital One Cup and 2-1 at Peterborough at the same stage of the FA Cup. In the JP Trophy they defeated Accrington Stanley 3-1 before going out on penalties to Tranmere in the second round following a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park.
Summer plans
Mystery surrounds a possible takeover of the club with vice-president Andy Bell admitting earlier this month that a “billionaire” was interested in investing in United. On the pitch, goalkeeper Mark Gillespie and midfielder Brad Potts have been told by Curle to make their minds up soon on whether they will accept new contract offers.
Previous meetings
The clubs have met on four occasions in the Football League, all in League One, and Reds have yet to lose. In 2012 we won 2-0 at Brunton Park and drew 1-1 there in November 2013 thanks to Billy Clarke’s late equaliser. At home, both meetings have ended in draws – 1-1 in March 2013, when Mat Sadler scored, and 0-0 in April 2014.
How far is it?
It’s a 690-mile round trip to Brunton Park, the longest trip of the season.
