Vital Statistics
Founded: 1904
Chairman: Andrew Jenkins
Last Season: League Two - 10th
Nickname: The Cumbrians
Rivals: Workington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough
Major Honours
None
Scheduled Matches
Portsmouth vs Carlisle: Saturday, August 6th (3pm)
Carlisle vs Portsmouth: Saturday, February 25th (3pm)
Carlisle United: A brief history
Carlisle United were formed in 1904 following a name change from Shaddongate United. The new club would be elected to the Football League in 1928 and appointed Bill Shankly as manager before his huge success at Liverpool.
The Cumbrians began to achieve success in the 1960's, eventually getting promoted to the top division in 1974 and were top of the league after three games before ultimately finishing bottom and getting relegated.
Carlisle would earn a reputation of perennial relegation battlers in the late 90's and infamously survived one season thanks to a last-gasp goal from goalkeeper Jimmy Glass. Relegation to non-league came eventually in 2004 but the club bounced straight back the following year and then won the League Two title, remaning in the third tier until their relegation three seasons ago.
The Manager: Keith Curle
Curle had a long playing career spanning 24 years and 10 different clubs, making well over 100 appearances for Bristol City, Manchester City and Wolves before retiring in 2005.
He began his managerial career at Mansfield Town where he was wrongfully dismissed after allegedly bullying a youth team player. Failed spells at Chester and Torquay saw Curle join Neil Warnock's coaching staff at Crystal Palace and then QPR.
The former England international returned to management with Notts County in February 2012 and guided them to an impressive 7th place finish that season but was sacked a year later. Curle took a break before joining Carlisle in September 2013, replacing the sacked Graham Kavanagh.
The Ground: Brunton Park (Capacity: 18,200 - Away: 3,700)
Carlisle is the longest journey that Pompey fans will have to undertake this season in the league but it's home to one of the most unique football grounds in the country.
Behind the far goal from where the away fans are situated is the old looking Warwick Road End where the more vocal home supporters are stood come 3pm.
The away fans are given a section of the Story Homes Stand which is known for not being completely in line with the pitch. When Pompey last went to Brunton Park some of the Carlisle "yoof" were offering the travelling fans fights only to scarper as soon as the final whistle blew.
The Peterill Stand is an open terrace which is also reserved for away fans should they take more than 2,000 fans. Considering the distance between Portsmouth and Carlisle that is going to be unlikely for Pompey but if Good Friday presents an opportunity to win promotion then who knows?
Opposite the away section is the Main Stand which is a mix of terracing and seating. Older Pompey fans will possibly liken this stand to the old North Stand at Fratton Park before the lower tier was made into a covered, all-seater terrace.
And this is what the Main Stand looks like before kick-off. Unfortunately attendances have been declining in Carlisle due to stagnation but a successful season in League Two could bring the fans back.
Overall, Carlisle is a good away day for those who make the long journey north. There are a couple of good pubs nearby in the Beehive and the Lakeland Gate and the ground itself is one of the better League Two venues.