You Can't Take Carlisle From the Boy

The departure of Chris Lumsdon from Carlisle caused mixed feelings. It also dropped him from the Blue Army radar and left many fans unaware of the injury battle, retirement and the feelings Chris expressed at the time. Thankfully, he agreed to a brief interview with Neil Nixon to put some closure on his football career and share a few memories of his Carlisle days.

1 - You started the season with Bedlington Terriers, in the same league as Penrith. How do you find the standard of football at that level after a decade in the professional ranks?

I no longer turn out for Bedlington as the injury still bothers me too much. The standard was surprisingly good, a lot of young players who are talented and a few ex-pros.

2 - Do you need regular check ups on the injury that forced you out of the professional game?

No it's not too bad at the minute but maybe in time some pain will come back but the operation released a lot of the pain.

3 - You were remarkably up-beat about the situation when you announced your retirement, focussing on what you'd achieved rather than what you'd lost. Do you still feel that way?

As I said at the time, I've had 15 yrs playing pro football, I've played at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Villa Park and I've kicked a ball around everyday. I feel very grateful to have been able to do that. I've met some brilliant people and had an amazing time.

4 - Career wise, what does the future hold for Chris Lumsdon?

I'm currently doing my level 2 coaching course so maybe something that involves coaching kids, I would enjoy that.

5 - You played more games by far for Carlisle United than for the other teams on your CV. Does Carlisle hold the fondest memories of your career?

It was definitely the best time of my career, from the first game against Canvey Island I enjoyed it all and we were very successful. My favourite moments would be Aldershot play off game, Stoke, and Leeds 3-1 at home where we absolutely destroyed them, the atmosphere at that game was awesome.

6 - Who was the best manager you ever played for, and why do you think this?

All my managers have been good and I've taken a lot from all of them. Obviously I had a lot of success with Simmo, and he turned the club right round. That was a brilliant time.

7 - The London Branch of the support have always prided themselves on getting well behind the Carlisle team. When you played in the south did you feel Carlisle had good support, and how did it compare with the support of other northern teams you played for in away games?

I always could not believe how good the support was down south. At places like Brighton and Orient, there were always loads there. In the north the support was brilliant to and it was a privilege to play for you all.

8 - Quite a few of your former team-mates - Garner, Paul Murray, Arnison, Westwood, Glennon, Gray, Murphy, Hawley - made the top 100 Carlisle players of all time list in 2009. Which players did you really admire at Carlisle, and why?

Kev Gray because of the way he got us going every match in the dressing room and the leader he was. Paul Arnison because he never let his head drop even when not in the team. Keiren for just how good he really was; turned into a brilliant keeper…..and it's shocking I didn't make that list ha ha!

9 - If you could only relive one match in your Carlisle career, which one would it be?

That's a tough one but would have to be Stoke, we knew we had to win to save people jobs in the club, and we had 14,000 there, and it meant promotion if we won. The feeling at the end was the best ever and the three day drinking spree after was hardcore!

10 - Imagine you were having a beer with a few of the London Branch and someone said: you must have some good stories about your Carlisle days......how would you reply?

I could honestly write a book about them, Something happened all the time; pranks, banter, fights. jokes. It was just a brilliant time and I'll always support Carlisle now.

Neil Nixon continues to write about Carlisle United, his Blueseason books - chronicling seasons in the life of the club are on sale in the Blues Store and Waterstone's, Carlisle. He has a website at www.neilnixon.com