Taking the Mick: August

Mick bigs up the United travelling support

I suppose being honest we can’t honestly say its been the best of starts to the new season but no one has turned us over and what’s happened is what many of us thought would happen. First game of the season and 7,234 fans turn up – how many from Canvey, was it 50 0r 80 – I forget. But it was the highest attendance for the whole of last season in the Conference. Plus the fact they were playing at the mighty Brunton Park (lads and lasses wait till you visit some of the grounds in the conference – Forest Green anyone!!!!!) and you can see whats happening. If you were a Canvey Island player – you would want to raise your game which is just what happened. Listen to this quote from their manager Jeff King: “The large crowd lifted us. We did ourselves proud and playing in front of a big crowd like this only helped to spur us on.”

Just what is it about the CUFC support. Is it because of times of adversity, because the away backing is better than I can ever remember it being before. Northwich – what do you reckon – I’d say at least 1,000 United fans and on a Tuesday night!. But I think it’s time for a bit of humility and not giving it “we are the Man Utd of the Conference” – and I can't stand Man Utd!

For a start lets get rid of that ridiculous post on the message board that says “Carlisle United on-loan to the Conference – lets keep this at the top”. If you were an opposing player or fan and you saw that, well at the very least you’d think arrogant so and so’s.

I was pleased our manager lost his rag after the Northwich game. Coasting we were and we had the players to secure victory and yeah there were too many who took their foot of the pedal. So good to the boss for having a right go – because its really not his style – but sometimes footballers need reminding it’s about 90 minutes.

We do need a couple of plays to be successful in this League and I know the gaffer is looking hard and doing all he can to get them. You can bet he hasn’t seen much of that new house of his!

Finally folk keep asking me about the Brooks Mileson thing where he is offering to pay the wages of any new players. I’ve only met the guy once, seemed a nice bloke, but I ain’t none the wiser than anyone else. It’s a unique, marvellous gesture but in all the years I’ve been covering football it IS a first in my experience.

Finally let me once again say "well done" (and it does not seem enough) to the brilliant away support so far this season. If your a CUFC player and this lot can't lift you - you dont deserve to be wearing the shirt. And well done to those who applauded Canvey Island off the field.

Respect to CUFC fans everywhere.

Mick