United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) at Tuesday morning's press conference for the local media, Abbott in the opening part of a lengthy interview first talking about winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this year after losing in the final last season :
GA
It was a massive day for everyone at the football club, certainly all the people who there involved last year, certainly myself - it put that to bed, and Peter (Murphy) probably as well. There were a lot of fans went down and the disappointment was larger than any of you could imagine. We took a lot of criticism as a club, I took a lot of criticism as a manager and the top and bottom of it is Southampton were always going to be a tough proposition, and the problems we had, the obstacles we had along the way, everything had to go right for us.
But, we felt this year the preparation work was excellent, we started the game really well, again we thought a lot of things had to go right for us and up to the game starting it had done. We had prepared really well, the boys were terrific, the hotel was great, the training facilities at Reading were fantastic and we get off to a great start with Peter's goal and that put him on a different sort of planet from last year.
Then the early performance was excellent and then we had something that was a bit of bad luck, or whatever, but losing Ben Marshall was a major, major blow, because I thought if we had kept him on the pitch we could have probably gone on 2-0 or even at half-time maybe up with our superior play to Brentford's. But, second-half we came under the cosh a little bit and had to defend a bit more, then we lost Francois (Zoko) so you are losing a massive attacking threat or part of your team.
But, we got through it and we defended superbly and I think we used our extra man, our fans as an extra man, and they shouted and cheered us on and we got over that winning line. Then that feeling of the emotion of putting something right, and we hadn't made a big thing about it but it was big, I can assure you it was massive, from the club's point of view to make sure we went and produced a performance that everyone was proud of.
I think 99% of our fans were proud of us, it might be even 100% were proud of us this time around. We gave them a weekend that was a very expensive weekend out to enjoy, and they came back and I have heard some good stories along the way. The whole of Carlisle is in probably a better state on this Tuesday morning than it might have been.
JP
How much has that experience of last year, dark though it was, helped you get where you are this year?
GA
I don't know if it has because it is not easy to get to Wembley, so you don't set your stall out and think that we will have to go back because it was rubbish last time. You have a lot of obstacles in the way, Port Vale to start with when we were 2-0 down with not so long to go and obviously the big threats of Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield. But, we got there and we had an opportunity to put it right, and I believe we did that.
JP
What about Peter Murphy? Everyone has talked about the fairytale of it, it really was, he as much as you last year really disappointed with how it turned out, but then what a weekend it wound up being for him for all manner of reasons?
GA
Yeah, Peter, probably on a personal note felt that he has put something to rights as well. He knows he made a mistake in last year's game and he knows this year it just shows you what football can do, hero-villain, villain-hero, whichever way round it goes, but he has certainly had a fantastic time for himself personally and his family, and his new-born baby as well. So, it is a brilliant, brilliant weekend for him.
JP
And telling us this morning on BBC Radio Cumbria that he is sorting his contract situation out now, what can you tell us about that at this stage?
GA
Yeah, Peter has earned an extension to the deal he was on, so we are going to sit down and try to do that maybe in the next fortnight and see if we can put a resolve to that and then he can concentrate on enjoying his summer and enjoying his baby growing up, and come back ready nice and fresh to go again next year.
JP
He says he wants to be here beyond that year as well, he wants to be here as long as he possibly can. Do you think he can keep on going at this sort of level?
GA
You never can tell, he is certainly a fit lad and he is a good pro who looks after himself, so he is not an old-stager by any sense. He is only just 30-years old so if we can keep his performances right then he goes on for as long as he keeps that level of performance and that is obviously down to Peter.
JP
On a personal note for you, your Dad was outside talking to BBC Radio Cumbria after the game, what was it like being there and having all of your family there seeing you do that? It is different, it personalises it with your family there doesn't it?
GA
Yeah, the worrying thing is my Dad talking to you, that would cause me a problem because he can get himself in trouble. But, I think all my family were there and that is like all the other players, it is nice when you have won it and to be fair it took me about an hour to get to them after the game because of the press and all the interviews and stuff.
But, they were proud as well, just like everybody else connected to the club and it was nice to share that with them, especially after last year when I needed them massive, they were really, really big for me last year. This year it was an easy evening on Sunday to sit down and enjoy it with a bit of a celebration.
JP
Carlisle United Wembley winners then for the first time in 14 years, you are a Wembley winner as a manager, what next then longer term? What is the next goal now you have chalked that one off?
GA
Improvement again, we have got to keep improving, we have got to keep trying to progress the football club and keep trying to take it forward. It is not easy, we know the obstacles we are up against but again now we have done that, the expectancy levels might just raise, might just make it even a little bit harder for us. But, we just want to keep moving the club in the right direction and from now on we are looking at as many points as we can to get as high up the league this season, try to improve on last season and then see if we can do it again next season.
JP
Can this spur you on to maybe next year, if it doesn't happen this year, really going for that promotion push with the finance and hopefully the crowds coming back on the back of this?
GA
Yeah, we need all those things to happen, we need more finance, we need more crowds, we need more new players, all of it goes together. For us to achieve that we need all those things to drop into place nicely, so if we can make them happen then we would have a fighting chance that is for sure.
JP
What is the latest with Ben Marshall? Ankle ligaments it looked like, is he out for the long-term now?
GA
Yeah, Dolly (Neil Dalton) is going to assess him, he has put him in a boot for now just to let things settle down and let the swelling die down. I think by the end of the week we will have an answer to Ben and to see what we can and can't do with him. But, I think while the swelling and the bruising is still to come out it is one of those with Dolly we are just waiting to see.
JP
If it does put paid to his season, do you think that could be the last time we see him in a Carlisle shirt? How difficult would it be to get a player of his quality back for the third year running?
GA
Erm, I would think very difficult, but it is something we are not going to let go easy, we are going to try our best and throw everything we have got at it to try to make it happen. if we can fantastic, but Ben has probably done enough to think he can maybe do another level. But, that depends on the interest in him and what Stoke want to do with him, but I will be speaking to Tony (Pulis) I would think in the next week or so to see what his plans are for him for next year, and he will ask me what I think and we will go from there.