You Can't Take Carlisle From the Boy

I've said before that one of the odd things about writing about Carlisle United, and football in general, is that the people who like what you do send you e-mails, or come up to you at matches, and let you know. Those that don't like it post on message boards with comments along the lines of 'that tosser doesn't know what he's on about……….' This observation matters now because I'd like to offer any of you with an opinion or story about one aspect of Carlisle United the chance to do something about it, in writing.

Having just completed Carlisle United Blueseason 2007/2008 I want to get another book project on the go. This one a little different from the others. I'm planning a book about the Blue Army. Specifically, I'd like to gather stories, experiences, funny and tragic goings on and anything else that matters. I'm not trying to write a definitive history of Carlisle's support. I'll leave all the definitive history work to Paul Harrison and David Steele. What I'm after is a collection of memories and opinions, written by the supporters, to be edited into one book that records the goings on in one team that has always performed well for Carlisle United. The Blue Army.

I've got the agreement of the club, specifically John Nixon (no relation), on how we'll proceed with this. So if I explain how things might work you can decide whether you want to help. Let's start with the bad news; there are likely to be so many contributions coming in and so little money generated that it's simply not practical to pay everyone who contributes a story or a photograph. However, the profits will help Carlisle United. I've agreed with John that half the proceeds will go to the newly constituted charity that is Carlisle's Football in the Community scheme.

The other half of the money is likely to be eaten up in producing and promoting the book. I'll also have to be honest and say that the editor's decision, (i.e. my decision), will determine what goes in and what doesn't. I'm not trying to keep anyone out but if I get 27 similar stories about the Jimmy Glass goal I can't run them all.

Aside from the money we'll put back into the club there's plenty of good news. Firstly, this is NOT some sanitised collection. I want the stories about the worst pies you ever ate, how you felt parting with ticket money to watch Eric Gates, the biggest idiot ever to sit beside you at a match etc etc. That's the whole point. The Blue Army should record every kind of supporter and every kind of experience. The good, the bad and the ugly. I may be editing it but I'm committed to including everything that makes us and our love of our club special. You'll be credited for your work and be able by the late autumn to walk into a bookshop with a couple of friends in tow, point to the page, and say: 'that's me, that is.' I don't know if that counts as a fleeting moment of fame, but it might count for something.

The other bit of good news is that it will be very easy. Simply go to my web site www.neilnixon.com - usually linked to this page - and click on the 'books' page. This has a compact description of the Blue Army book. Then use the 'contact' option on the left of the page to e-mail me, marking the e-mail 'Blue Army.' I'll send you a Word document. You can drop as many stories as you want into the categories outlined on the document and send it back to me. The Word document also has details about how to send photographs.

And finally, if you're one of the: 'that tosser doesn't know what he's on about……' brigade, definitely take this chance. I'm serious. If those of us who write about Carlisle and stick our work in your faces don't tell it the way you see it, get some words down and I'll do my best to get as many of them as possible onto paper and into the shops.

Okay, almost enough blather for one season eh? Two final announcements:

1 - I know it would have been hard to survive if we'd been promoted but that deflection off Danny Livesey's leg……a sickener or what?

2 - S'cuse the shameless plugging but; I'll be doing a gig in Waterstones, Carlisle sometime in mid-July. Watch this space, or their front window, for details. They should be announced before I do my next column. Grab yourselves one of the free tickets and come along.