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PN
Of course you had a brief stint with Darlington before injury curtailed that at Blue Square Premier level, how did you find the level there?
CL
It was interesting to say the least there, they just had about eight players and signed another twelve just before the first game of the season. Then after the third game I had a re-occurrence of the back injury which happened here, so I had the operation and it took me about six months to get over it. Then I had a year left on my contract but we came to an arrangement just to finish it, because obviously I couldn't play on professionally that long.
PN
How difficult was it to make that decision?
CL
It would have been really difficult if it had come at the time when I left Carlisle. But, the year that I had at Darlington wasn't very enjoyable and it was something I didn't really enjoy so it didn't come as too much of a blow.
PN
In a way do you perhaps regret making that move to Darlington, or perhaps with hindsight you might have been better to have made that decision having left Carlisle?
CL
No, because at the time the back was alright, it was back to normal and I still wanted to play football. So, they gave me an opportunity to still play and then of course the re-occurrence happened which the surgeon said only happens to 4% of people, so I was unlucky. But, that is the way it was and I am happy with the 15 years I have done in football, I have been very lucky.
PN
And all of a sudden Saturday's after that, the decision to hang up the boots, you are left twiddling your thumbs, how difficult is that for a player who for 15 years it has been your life?
CL
Yeah, it is hard sometimes when you know you could be playing. But, Jeff Stelling and a couple of pints down the local with my mates after 15 years is an enjoyable thing with the scores coming in.
PN
Paul Thirlwell of course, you played alongside Paul during your time here, it could be argued that United have played their best football this season when Paul has been fit and in the side, what do you think Paul actually brings to a team?
CL
Well, I think with Paul he is one of those that you don't realise what he does until he is out of the team. I think he is a calming influence in there and he does the ugly work and lets the two lads in front of him, Tom (Taiwo) and James (Berrett) do what they want to do. So, I think he is one of those that you miss when he is out of there and people realise how much.
PN
What he is like? Obviously he is the captain, is he a leader in the dressing-room as well?
CL
He is an absolute nightmare in the dressing-room, me and him were known to get on people's nerves with our jokes and that. But, when it comes to matchday he is a good captain and he is experienced and he helps the lads, and does everything a captain should do.
JP
In terms of the playing staff, we talk a lot about those, but the rest of the club, there is a lot more to a football club than just the eleven players that take to the field. How important are the people behind the scenes to a club like Carlisle?
CL
One of the main things that I took from my time here is the amount of people that get stuck in and help the team. It is not just about the squad, it is about everyone. At Stoke I remember we won the Conference play-off final and everyone came onto the pitch, the cleaning ladies and everyone. It is just a family club, a lot of people say that they are at a family club but this really is, and everyone mucks in and that is what it is all about.
PN
Just bring us up to date with what you are up to these days?
CL
Well, I have just finished my Level Two coaching course, which I enjoyed, and in the New Year I will be going into schools and coaching the kids. I will be coming round all of Sunderland and Newcastle and I have actually got some appointments to come up to Carlisle and do some soccer camps up here, so it is going alright.
PN
What kinds of things does that involve then?
CL
Just basically showing the kids my skills, just going in and teaching them skills and a bit of enjoyment with five-a-side and just coaching from an early age.
PN
Clearly you are doing this because that is something you want to do full-time as a career then is it?
CL
Yes, I have always enjoyed my football and you want to stay in the game as much as you can and coaching seems to be the way forward now, so I am getting into that.
PN
Clearly you say you come back to watch United as much as you can, it is a club that still means a lot to you?
CL
Yeah it is, I had five years here and they were five successful years so you get to know a lot of people and you get to love the place, so that is why I keep coming. It was a brilliant time I had here.