Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness

In rather unlikely circumstances Carlisle did in fact avoid relegation. A comfortable 2-0 home win against Millwall, who were themselves engaged in an attempt to secure a favourable play off position, in conjunction with Brighton’s defeat of Stockport, ensured the Cumbrians’ proverbial ’Great Escape’. And more good news in the Irish League. The Gibson Cup will not this year reside amongst the forces of darkness. In a dramatic final day’s proceedings, Glentoran wrested the championship away from Linfield. Hope it smarts David Jeffrey.

Carlisle United’s fans are renowned throughout English football as the heaviest drinking supporters of any football league club. Is it any wonder? After Michael Knighton’s ball juggling escapades at Old Trafford came to nought, he purchased the Cumbrian club and subsequently claimed that he’d been abducted by aliens. Goalkeeper Jimmy Glass may have saved Carlisle from relegation to the Conference in 1999, but it was only a temporary reprieve. The Borderers lost their football league status in 2004 after five seasons in the lower reaches of Division 3. United have enjoyed relative success since their visit to the non-leagues. Two successive promotions propelled them into League 1. Indeed last term the Blues finished fourth, making the play offs, before succumbing to dirty Leeds. Now, once again, the trajectory is downwards. Hernandez explains the intricacies on ‘Down and Out’. Carlisle could well return to the football league’s basement on Saturday, and whether in celebration ...