And now for the answers provided by Peter:
How long have you supported Carlisle United?
I have been supporting for 38 years now.
Where did you finish last season?
Off the top of my head, I think it was 10th. I’d need to check.
What do you think of your Manager?
Undecided. He joined when we were in fourth and now we are outside the playoffs. We were punching above our weight at the time with a small squad and loan players we then lost in January but the second half of the season under SP has been very disappointing. Poor football, lots of injuries, low crowds and a generally poor atmosphere around the team and the club. He talks a good game and he hasn’t had much time to build his own team but so far, what we have seen, has been pretty dire under his watch.
What were your hopes and expectations at the start of the season?
To be honest, my hopes were not high. The club, as usual, made a pig’s ear of pre-season and the late appointment of the manager. It smacked of unprofessionalism and we didn’t have a manager until nearly the start of the season. We seemed to be a bit of a joke, again.
Sheridan, although hard to warm to, managed to develop a team with little money which started to give us hope. He left, we lost our way. As fans, we should have known better.
One(s) to watch?
Only Jamie Devitt and Callum O’Hare have any wow factor to get the fans off their seats. They are supported by a much improved and solid keeper in Adam Collin. The lost loan players have been a big loss, which speaks volumes about the players we have under contract.
At the start of the season, who did you think would finish in the top 7? And how do you think it’ll finish from 1st to 7th?
I expected Lincoln to be there at the top with the momentum, great crowds and good backing. MK and Bury too. I expected more from Mansfield too. As for the rest, I thought it a bit of a lottery.
Lincoln City, Milton Keynes Dons, Bury, Mansfield Town, Exeter City, Colchester United and Swindon Town.
Who do you think will finish in the bottom 2?
Yeovil Town and Notts County.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
Many fans are critical over the rather agricultural style of play by the managers but much of this is shrouded in envy I think. It is great to see the club on the up after years of dross. We have been there. We are there! The size of the crowds should be celebrated and show a potential many didn’t know existed. On and off the field, the club seems to be well run. Sincil Bank probably needs an upgrade unless the club decides on a new site but to even be having this conversation shows how far they have come in a short space of time. The FA Cup run put them on the map and they haven’t rested on their laurels.
I also envy the success. I want the same for Carlisle but I can’t see it happening any time soon. Long may it continue.
What do you think the score will be?
Heart says one nil to Carlisle. Head says three nil to Lincoln and another club celebrating a title on our hallowed turf.
Random fact about your Club?
We have the largest capacity of terracing of any football club in the country, The Paddock being the largest single capacity terrace in the country.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
The managers. For all their faults, they bring success.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Carlisle United Supporter?
Proudest must be our first trip to Wembley v Birmingham in front of nearly 80,000.
Most embarrassing – crying before and then after Jimmy Glass scored to keep us in the league 20 years ago.
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
Adam Collin.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
We do. They appear to play no active role as they have little control and no money. They don’t have the support of the wider fan base due to past problems which is a real shame. Fans groups and pulling in different directions. The board and owners are very unpopular but, with no money, things aren’t likely to change soon.
Which was your favourite match involving Carlisle United?
Beating Newcastle, twice, at Brunton in the early 80s. More recently, beating the unbeaten Leeds 3-1 in front of over 17,000. Sent the arrogant chaps home with their tails between their legs. Great days.
Which was your least favourite match involving Carlisle United?
Too many to choose from. Until the last kick off added time, the Sir Jimmy Glass game.
Do you have a Former Players Association at Carlisle United?
Not that I know of.
What’s the best thing about Carlisle?
It is a beautiful city surrounded by amazing countryside. It is so underappreciated – certainly by its own council. It has the history and beauty to be a York or Durham but the council seem to view it as Wigan or Barnsley.
What effect did the poster campaign have in drumming up additional Cumbrian support for the match?
The MK Dons match was promoted really well. 10k plus crowd. Has there been a promotion for the Lincoln game? News to me.
With Carlisle being a football outpost there are obvious disadvantages to attracting some players, something that has been said about Lincoln to a lesser extent. Are there any natural advantages to being isolated and has your club actively employed any successful strategies over the years to counter that, or does it simply come down to cash and success to level the playing field?
Being isolated should be a massive advantage in my opinion. Attracting players shouldn’t be a problem with the right marketing. Beautiful city, low crime, gorgeous countryside, huge club potential. Not since Knighton have we had an owner who has really tried to promote the club, the city and the region. Get the buzz back, show optimism and ambition and the crowds will come. Cash injections will make it happen quicker and investment and new owners are badly needed but just some positivity would be a start. It will never be a level playing field these days but we need to maximise our potential like Lincoln are trying to do. I’d say we are currently running at 20% of our potential. We need the club, the council, the business community and the fans to work as one. We could be big. Currently, we aren’t.
What’re your thoughts on your run in, do you think you’ll make the playoffs and who would you like to face?
If, by some miracle, we made the playoffs, give me Bury. Beat them twice, even with ten men. The rest will give us a hiding.
Things must be really bad if John Sheridan opted to leave, at the time, a well placed L2 side for a struggling NL one, albeit a biggish club at that level in Chesterfield where he’s been before. Were there any issues behind the scenes that will have contributed to him making that decision?
Chesterfield are a much smaller club. Real-time and potentially. It was nearer his home. He self destructs everywhere he goes but does well short term. He seemed to fall out with the players and it was never destined to last. That said, it was good football to watch under him. He was old school. Modern players can’t cope with that it seems. He wasn’t widely popular as a man but he was helping us punch above our weight.
Hopefully, 2019/20 will be our year. Forever dreaming!
"He deserves a chance to craft his own squad, as he's clearly not happy with some aspects."https://t.co/Q7EvRgrwzv#CUFC #ImpsAsOne #CUFCImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 19, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2151343261568574
