Lummy and Keiren Sign On Again

Chris Lumsdon

Chris Lumsdon signed his two-year contract extension yesterday, that meaning he is now committed to United until June 2009. Lummy started his career as a trainee at Sunderland way back in 1997 where, due to the success of the Mackems at the time, he made only three starting appearances. Chris did enjoy first-team action though in loan spells at Blackpool and Crewe where he made 20 starts, plus two as a substitute.

A more lasting impression was made at Championship outfit Barnsley though where Lummy found himself on loan in October 2001, making 13 starts and scoring two goals in the process. The Oakwell club liked what they saw from Lumsdon and splashed out £350,000 on the midfield schemer in mid-December 2001 to bring him to South Yorkshire on a permanent basis. Things initially carried on well for Chris but he fell out of favour with the Barnsley management in the 2003-04 season and was eventually released at the end of that campaign after making 76 appearances, plus 20 as a substitute while scoring 13 goals, for the Tykes.

United boss Paul Simpson snapped up Lumsdon as an out-of-contract free agent in the summer of 2004 as he looked to build up a squad in the Conference that would haul the Blues back into the Football League. Chris proved to be a vital part in that promotion campaign, as well as the amazing League Two title success last season, and is now Carlisle's chosen penalty taker, although he has been known to miss a few in his time. To date Lummy has made 109 starts for the Cumbrians, plus one a substitute, scoring 18 goals in the process, and he promises to be an important figure in the United midfield for many matches to come.

Keiren Westwood

Meanwhile, popular 21-year old goalkeeper Keiren Westwood signed his two-year contract extension today, that meaning he is now committed to United until June 2009 as well. Keiren started off as a trainee at Manchester City and had a prolonged loan spell at Oldham Athletic from November 2003 until the end of the 2003-04 where he was only a bench-warmer, the Manchester-born glovesman being an unused substitute for the Latics 21 times.

At the age of just 19 Westwood, after going back to the Citizens, was released by City and failed pre-season trials at Wrexham and Bradford City actually made him consider giving up the game to become a policeman. He soon got a call from Andy Rhodes though, his old goalkeeping coach at Manchester City, who knew then Cumbrians boss Paul Simpson. Westwood coming to Carlisle for a trial game against Barrow, doing well and eventually joining the Blues on a permanent deal in August 2004.

Keiren made his United debut in a 2-1 LDV Vans Trophy win at home to Grimsby in September 2004. Westwood forcing his way into the first-team in that 2004-05 season but some inconsistent performances and an injury ruled him out of the run-in to promotion, and also the start of last season. He fought back to depose Welshman Anthony Williams as first-choice stopper twelve months ago though and has been an ever-present since, making 63 starts, plus 52 as a unused substitute for the Blues. Speculation has been rife recently with scouts apparently flocking to Brunton Park to watch the highly-rated young stopper and the club will no doubt be delighted to have tied him down to a longer-term deal.