To many clubs relegation to the Conference need not mean the end of the world. For clubs like Carlisle it may well have been. Most Blues feel that we'd end up in a similar situation to Workington. What did for the Reds would be the same problems we would have had to face. The geography of where we are would be a massive minus, both in terms of getting players to come here (its always been a problem anyway whatever division we've been in) and because there would be a massive reduction in wages for anyone pulling on that Blue shirt. Gates and sponsorship would drop and because of where we are the cost of travel for away matches would still be as much as it would if we were still a League team. These really were the most telling factors in Workington's free-fall once they were out of the Football League. And I'm afraid Shrewsbury could be facing similar problems and will find it one hell of a task to secure a return to Division Three. They say there is little difference in the standard of football played in Div Three and the Conference. Not sure that's always the case but what goes on off the pitch at a football club plays a bigger part than ever these days and there are certainly many clubs outside of the Nationwide set-up who are better prepared in terms of supporter numbers and standard of their home ground. Gay Meadow, even when packed, looked a right bloody tip didn't it. Dropping out of the league isn't going to remedy that situation and if the place sees a tin of paint in the near future I'll be surprised. Anyway good luck to Shrewsbury - but I'm 100% so very pleased that it was them and not us. Incidentally I wrote in the programme about an 'incident' after the first LDV leg against Shrewsbury involving our mate Mr Jemson. This resulted in about a dozen e-mails off you good folks asking for more details as had explained how couldn't really say too much about what had happened due to being told in confidence and also Jemson being a big enough wanker to either a) offer me out or B) Threaten to sue. Wasn't too worried about the first one (not cos I'm hard, but I do hang out with the Thai Dragons and the fat one you just know is one of those big gobs who would run away if one of those cool dragon boys so much as looked at him) but sometimes in life, and in the world of football it's worse than ever, even when people are in the wrong you get writs flying about because - wrong or not - it's a way to save face. I mean as a journalist it is a constant worry which is why the BBC and Sky send staff on law/libel courses every year. But the truth will win out, especially if the facts are accurate. But believe me it can be an uncomfortable time if your waiting for that truth to emerge. It was a trick of the trade which was used to maximum advantage by someone who at one time had a bit of input at Brunton Park. Its ignorance you see. Don't mean people being stupid - ignorance in this case of not understanding the law. Most people find it daunting and that can create fear. That in-turn can lead to people backing down, etc. Well you get the picture and the fact I'm not adding the geezers name here shows how effective it can be. (Come on lads/lasses, you can work it out) Anyway several people have confirmed this story and I'd imagine a certain fat boy will have more pressing matters on his mind, where he can go next to get his rather hefty pay packet. Oh a note to them that make up the Border City rumours. Who are they, where do they drink? Always entertaining to be fair but one week after the end of the season and there's a hell of a list already of players we will be signing. Either by e-mail or up town, even in the gentleman's haircutting rooms near the castle and also at the Sands Centre, so far I've been informed - always with the proviso its from a 'reliable source' or the classic 'inside Brunton Park information' that Roddy has approached Conlon from Darlo (hey hope its true, perhaps the best player in Div 3 but reliable source or not I asked the fella that e-mailed me, why would Darlo sell us their best player" - his answer was that Conlon has fallen out with their chairman. That may well be true, but surely there's another snag in such a move. Unless a former CUFC chairman really did shed tears at the thought of our league demise, cos then it would make sense that the Quakers would let us have their best player. It would help ensure we'd not be in the same boat next season, saving tears all round. Well call me cynical but..... Leon Osman is coming back on-loan but this time for the whole season. Again be great if its true. That kid has a bright future ahead of him. Yet while at the Fulham/Everton game couple of weeks ago noticed Osman on the bench. He didn't come on but has come on before, I think he replaced Lee Rooney in one match. So Leon is obviously pushing for a first team place at Goodison. The lad really did enjoy his stint with the Cumbrians but is he really going to miss out on a whole Premiership season to play for us? Who else Danny Sonner, Kyle Lightbourne - well both could be possibles. Lightbourne's better days are behind him but in my opinion the team is crying out for experience up front. Nobody would benefit more than Richie Foran, and then us supporters would also benefit in terms of results. Many Blues fans have said they would have liked to have seen Ian Stevens still in the United front-line and I would not argue with that. Old legs or not, Stevo would have brought Richie on no end. A bloody good pro was Ian Stevens. Fans are right to be wary of players coming to the end of their career. We don't mind them picking up that wage packet as long as they do their best. NB the other end of the scale from one Eric Gates. If Lightbourne fits in with that criteria then lets have him! Who else? Oh yes David Reeves is deffo on his way back. Well if he is they best hurry up and tell him cos when I spoke to him last week it was news to him. But again to be fair perhaps the United coaching staff have drawn up a list of names who they will be checking out. Would you welcome Reeves back? Have to say I would. He always gave 100% and the fact is he's never been a better player than when wearing that shirt with the fox on. Mick Wadsworth signed him at Oldham because Reeves was struggling to find his form at Chesterfield and I could see Mick's thinking. He was the manager who saw the best of David Reeves as a player. Trouble for Wadsworth is, yes he was our boss, but where Reeves was concerned it had more to do with being at Carlisle United FC, than any one individual. Remember at the end of that 'Life with Carlisle United' first book. Ended it by saying that though the likes of Wadsworth, Reeves, Edmondson,and a few others may all go on to bigger than better things in the game - when their careers were over and they looked back, then it would be the time they had at United that would provide the best, fondest and warmest memories. Did I get that right fellow Blues? Nah it wasn't so hard to predict really eh - because we all of us who love Carlisle United know what so many others don't. The team we support and have etched in our hearts is one very, very special football club! Reevesy takes the piss out of me, but I know that he knows he'll never top his time as a player he enjoyed at Paradise Park. So, again this is off the rumour mill, but no complaints from me if it turns out to be true. Somebody actually asked me "if Carlisle go out of the league who are you going to support"? Err hello - this is CUFC, call it a curse if it suits, but if you follow the Cumbrians, that etching on the heart mentioned above means you don't do other clubs! Trying not to be rude replied by saying 'David Haye (up and coming very exciting boxing prospect - ie everything Audley Harrison isn't) - but this chap was having none of it. "No which football team would you decide to follow he insisted on knowing. "Err how about Carlisle" says I. "No which League team" - all this from some bloke in Lowther Street who I didn't even know!!! I could wind you up by saying he was wearing a Man Utd shirt but that would be wrong and a lie - it was an Everton shirt. As the hackles were starting to twitch all I could think to say was "If Morecambe go up I'll probably have a look for their results" and sharply went on my merry way!! No doubt other CUFC supporters have had similar experiences or stick off them folks that live here but follow those far flung teams who are miles better than we will ever be! Back to that list. The lad from Bury who was sent off against us complete with a bust up in the tunnel as he left the field with a member of our coaching staff. Can't remember his name. He's going to be playing for us next season. To be honest can't really recall how he played before the sending off so hard to say if he'd be a good signing or not. Darren Edmonson is coming home apparently. Well I wish he would - his legs aint what they were but a York fan at work says whatever the result the only player in their side who always gives 100% is Edmo! How many Carlisle players would you say that about during last season. I'll stop here but there are at least another five more names which could be mentioned. No doubt you will have heard of others. This is not a pop at Border City folk - I love a good rumour, makes life interesting, but you do get some classics in Carlisle. Companies like Teamtalk have got a lot to answer for. They have to fill their pages every day whether there is news or not. Nobody (least of all me) is saying things get made up - cut certainly do get 'coloured'. Reporting that a player has been released by a club and 'may' attract the interest of Carlisle United (and a dozen other clubs) is no lie, but its bloody vague at best. You know what I mean! Least with up-town gossip you can generally have a laugh. Here's the best one of the close season so far. (But don't whatever you do tell Roddy ) A lad in the Beehive tells me he has heard from a 'reliable source' (so it must be true then) that John Courtney has already interviewed Mick Wadsworth for the managers job at Brunton Park and is almost certain to offer Waddy the position. Be unfair of me to comment really cos personally I think JC is a lovely fella and be jesus does he make me laugh. Loads of fans have met our owner, have you heard anyone say anything other than good about him. Either he's one hell of an actor, if so a place in Hollywood beckons chief, or this is a rumour without foundation. Perhaps there is a bit of a clue in the reply which was forthcoming when I enquired if there was any substance to this. Mr Courtney says: "Mick who?" After explaining John had a right good laugh stating "What a bloody place Carlisle is. No wonder I like it here, there is as much blarney as there is in Dublin". Finally (almost forgot) was going to fill you in on Mr Jemson's antics. After the 1-0 LDV win at Brunton, a game which was played in fairly good spirit as you know if you were there. The lads are back in the dressing room and Roddy is having a chat with them. To start with you'd be ill advised to rudely butt in if the boss is talking anyway - but the dressing room is a sanctuary in Mr Collins eyes. And that's how it should be too, and is, at any club! So imagine the surprise when the door bursts open and Jemson storms in and lets rip with a barrage of insults, every other word beginning with F or C. The jist of Nige's argument was that we were a shit, tin-pot club, shit players, scraped a lucky win, and we would get mullered both physically and result wise in the second leg. There was a bit more besides but I better not repeat it. Anyway I woudn't want my kids to see it, so why should there be a risk of yours reading such offensive stuff. Someone, Tony Eliott I think (to the rescue again eh pal) managed to grab the Shrews idiot and get him out of there. Which is just as well because Roddy would soon have got over the initial shock and someone may have gotten mullered there and then! And it wouldn't have been anyone from Carlisle United. To add insult to injury apparently the w...... had waited till he thought the ref was out of sight before storming in but the man in black had emerged and saw the whole incident. The last thing anyone heard was the referee firmly ordering: "Jemson, get here - in my dressing room now". Don't know if any punishment was forthcoming but it all went in the ref's report.! Oh yeah, that was another name on the list of who we are going to sign. Nigel Jemson! I kid you not! Mind Carlisle being Carlisle you would not rule it out! And after all Shrewsbury have got nothing to equal our Scotch pies!!! Enjoy the close season. Respect and peace Mick Legends of Carlisle United, by Mick Mitchell, is available from WH Smith priced at £14.99 - and quite possibly the club shop, too! |
