Have been away for a fair old while for a much needed break (honest) and the technology wasn't quite as up to date at my destination as it is here. Have got another excuse too - will explain that later. Well I know it was a few months ago now but it was brilliant to see the Blues win promotion and regain their place in the Football League. It was more about effort and determination in the end but there was no shortage of that from United. We did come up against a few decent sides but I think the often quoted statement that there is little difference in the quality of football between teams in Division Three and those in the Conference is something of a "myth". There had been a few fans who seemed to think The Cumbrians would easily make a quick return to the league but I certainly couldn't think along those lines. What worried me was though I thought CUFC would be the best team in the Conference where skill and the ability to play good football were concerned there was the chance that those factors could have worked against us at times, Because I had the feeling that most of the other sides in the division would raise their game when playing us. Not in terms of a Manchester United type way but The Blues have had a lot of coverage over the last few seasons, for some of our quite incredible efforts, in managing to escape the drop. And perhaps I'm being biased but do feel that Carlisle United are the biggest, or perhaps maybe "well known" is the right description to have ever dropped down to the Conference. Add the fact that some of the other grounds in the non-league division 'left a lot to be desired' with Brunton Park being the most impressive by a mile, that also worked against us at times. Many of the visiting players that ran out at Paradise Park must have got some inspiration from, what for many of them, would and for some always will be, the best stadium they'll ever get the chance of playing at. Maybe your thinking "bollocks" (mebs your right) well fair play to Barnet - who deserved to win the title - but were they really that many points better than the rest. Don''t really think so and couldn't imagine visiting players gettting much of a lift when running out at Underhill in the same way as they would have at BP. Never the best of grounds where the Bees play anyway it certainly needed a "lick of paint" last season and surely improvements will have to be made as they enter the League again. You know it still surprises me to read comments on the message board now and again with a negative slant against Paul Simpson. In my opinion our manager did an outstanding job in securing an instant return to the Football League. After CUFC had dropped down to the Conference I reckon the boss made up his mind on a couple of things that turned out, in my opinion, to be the main reasons we did go straight back up. Firstly it's a bit obvious but the manager made sure that the players worked harder than ever but most importantly was determined from the off that the club would be run as professionally as ever, along the same lines as if still in the League. Sounds simple but some clubs have found tbat hard to do after relegation. I remember meeting Simmo one day early in the close season and just talking to him could feel a steel like determination where the campaign ahead was concerned. We may well have been the team with the most ability but there didn''t seem to be too many other teams who appeared to be totally interested in playing good football. But, and lets not forget and in some difficult circumstances at times, especially the floods, Paul Simpson did whatever was needed to ensure United secured the points that would lead to a return to the league. It's true that was a season which will never be remembered for the quality of football on display but in many ways it is up there with some of the clubs most important ones. You could see in many visiting teams the effects of getting bogged down in the Conference and why it was vital that didnt happen to United. Because if we did come up across teams who wanted to battle in an effort to beat us then The Blues would battle back. Lets face it there were some poor sides that visited Brunton Park but at times scrappy teams can prove difficult to break down. Attractive football may have often been in short supply but getting the job done was the most important thing. With that job now completed I can honestly see United start to make progress in the League and continue to do so. We do need a new player or two - where is that bloody striker -but you have to say we are in a fairly decent position at the moment. Let me get me excuse out of the way then about the delay in updating on this site. This bloke who worked in Dixons in the Carlisle Lanes seemed helpful when I shelled out on a laptop to take to my intended destination, which was Thailand if anyone wants to know. But I had to get one (not cheap are they) because of some work planned to do out there. So after picking out a laptop the salesman assured me in no uncertain terms that there would be "no problem at all in using the internet or e-mail" on the bloody thing out there. Well not being a technical boffin the purchase took place as I assumed the Diixons 'expert' would know what he was talking about. But after lugging the thing half-way around the world discovered on arrival that the nice sales lad had got his facts "mixed-up" over this matter - indeed there wasn't a hope in hell's chance of using the internet or e-mail, the functions which mattered, in the place I was staying. So cheers mate, hope your a CUFC fan and you get to read this. I thought about visiting Dixons 'now and again' when returning home, only simply to suggest obviously that perhaps it would be worth them brushing up on their technical knowledge if only where geography was concerned. Well they must have known I was coming.....but seriously was totally gobsmacked to discover the place had gone and Dixons had disappeared! It must be fairly funny to many reading this, I can see why but perhaps won't join in quite so much, Anyway here's an amusing footnote for you. Got to work on the laptop at home to get some stuff done and on the second day of it being in use the sodding thing crashed - and stayed crashed. The machine is currently in Mansfield (dont ask me why there) but should be back in a couple of weeks. Bit ungrateful of the lucky laptop don't you think after enjoying a trip around the world. And rather worrying was the fact there were some days when I missed being able to read the message board on here. The doctor's appointment is booked for next week! Two things about Thailand you might find interesting though. I was staying at a lovely place called Koh Sumai - Paradise Island they call it - in a hotel which is joined up to the Thai boxing training camp. There are bigger training camps out there but they reckon this one in this small village is the best in the world. It was pretty basic but that description is probably correct. There were about 10 fighters from Thailand at the camp and about 10 others from Australia, Sweden, America and various other countries. The training was tough but they were all such nice blokes - out of the ring. It's probably the hardest sport of all but respect plays big part in it. And the bloke who got the most respect was the fella that ran the place and was one of the top trainers. Have a guess where he was from. You'd probably go for Thailand, the home of the sport, etc, no the person in question was from....Carlisle. I kid you not. Some of you may have heard of him, Alex Dally is his name, but it's quite incredible what he's achieved out there. Did his training in Botchergate apparently...nah joking of course, a really nice bloke though and said to say "hello" to anyone who knows him. So you're not interested in Thai boxing but your in this small place out there and with the temperature being 120% you might find yourself wanting a glass or two of cold beer. Plenty of bars to choose from but why not try the one near the beach, about 50 yards off the main road. The name of the bar...The Carlisle Red Fox Inn! Owned by a Thai lady who married a fella from Carlisle, the bar is dedicated to CUFC and has loads of Carlisle United stuff on display. Quite amazing really - the place has just one bar devoted to a football team from the whole of England - and it turns out to be us! I had 'one or two' in there I can tell you. Cheers to Blues fans everywhere. Respect |
