Ahead of the Spireites’ return to the Football League and League Two, we are taking a look at all 23 other teams that make up the division.
We are continuing with Carlisle United:
FACT FILE
Team Name: Carlisle United Football Club
Nickname: The Cumbrians
Year Founded: 1896
Stadium: Brunton Park
Capacity: 17,949
2023/24 SEASON
For the first time in nine years, Carlisle United were back playing League One football after winning promotion by beating Stockport County on penalties in the play-off final. Paul Simpson’s side suffered a tough start to life back in the third tier, only winning one of their first seven games in all competitions. A 3-1 win away at Bolton Wanderers brought a brief bright spark, but Carlisle continued to struggle in League One – languishing in the relegation zone by the turn of the year. The Cumbrians’ form failed to pick up as 2024 began. A 2-0 away defeat to Northampton Town in early April condemned them to relegation straight back to League Two.
MANAGER
Paul Simpson gained a lot of experience during his 24-year playing career that he then took into his coaching career. Whilst playing for Rochdale, he became player/manager before repeating the feat during his time at Carlisle United. After spells with Preston North End, Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County and Northwich Victoria, Simpson joined up with Steve McClaren as assistant manager at Derby County and Newcastle United. He took charge of the England U20 squad in 2017 – winning a World Cup that year. The former winger left three years later to join Dean Holden at Bristol City before returning to Carlisle as manager in 2022.
Paul Simpson – Photo by Geoff Caddick/Shutterstock
KEY PLAYER
Charlie Wyke recently signed for the club after leaving League One Wigan Athletic. The striker will be looking to recapture the form he showed throughout the 2020/21 season for Sunderland. He will also be hoping to fire the Cumbrians back to League One.
Last season in numbers (for Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United):
Appearances – 34
Goals – 9
Assists – 0
Yellow Cards – 4
Red Cards – 1
Minutes Played – 1,739
Charlie Wyke
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Liam Cooper’s first loan move as a professional player was to Carlisle United, who were in League One at the time. He played seven times during his two-month loan spell, scoring on his debut against Bristol Rovers.
In November 2012, the defender joined Chesterfield on loan until the end of the season. He impressed during his stint and also scored on his debut against Oxford United. Cooper joined permanently at the end of the season and spent another year in North Derbyshire. He helped the Spireites to the 2013/14 League Two title before securing a move to Leeds United.
Liam Cooper
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
P 75 W 35 D 15 L 25
Chesterfield have had the better in head-to-head meetings with Carlisle United with 35 wins in 75 games. However, the side from Cumbria have come away from the last four fixtures unbeaten – with three wins and a draw.
PREVIOUS GAME
The Spireites travelled to Brunton Park in February 2018 as they looked to fight for their place in League Two. Unfortunately, the home side took the lead after 19 minutes when Kelvin Etuhu curled an effort past Aaron Ramsdale from the edge of the area. Andy Kellett thought he had levelled with a well-hit volley in the second half, but the offside flag denied the visitors. John O’Sullivan doubled the lead late on as he fired home from close-range.
