Carlisle United Retained List Revealed

This week Carlisle United have announced their retained and released lists after their relegation to the National League.

Today we will take a look at the lists and talk about if there are any suprises or any decisions we agree or disagree with.

Players already contracted for the 2025/26 season: Luke Armstrong, Gabe Breeze, Archie Davies, Elliot Embleton, Cameron Harper, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Jones, Georgie Kelly, Harry Lewis, Will Patching, Ethan Robson, Cedwyn Scott, Jude Smith, Terell Thomas, Stephen Wearne, Callum Whelan, Josh Williams and Charlie Wyke

Players with clauses activated for the 2025/26 season: Jack Ellis

Players offered new deals: Matthew Dennis and Kadeem Harris

Players released: Ben Barclay, Taylor Charters, Anton Dudik, Paul Dummett, Callum Guy, Sam Lavelle, Dylan McGeouch and Josh Vela

Loan players returning to their parent club: Joe Bevan, Sean Fusire, Joe Hugill and Charlie McArthur

Scholars who were offered and have accepted professional deals: Jake Allan, Sam Hetherington and Dan Hopper

Scholarships extended for a third year: Freddie O’Donoghue and Thomas Randall

Scholars released: Trent Chapman, Aran Fitzpatrick, Mason Fleming, James Murray, Will Nicholson, Josh O’Brien and Bobby Skinner

Our Opinion On The Players Retained & Released

Personally I think there’s no surprises in the players staying or leaving. Offering new deals to Dennis and Harris is a good decision and I think Dennis may stay but it would be a big ask to keep Harris who is clearly too good for non-league football.

There are a lot of players still under contract that the club will need to look at moving on but it could be difficult. Mark Hughes will know which of those he can rely on and will already have made his mind up on who needs to be moved on.

A reset in the boardroom and on the pitch is needed this summer so I expect a lot of players to leave and not just the released players.

With Marc Tierney and Mark Hughes both firmly in place before the end of May this gives the club the best chance to get a vital summer plan together and to give Carlisle the best chance possible to build a team that has the best chance of an instant return to the football league next season.

Thanks everyone for reading Paddock Perception. You can follow Dan and Craig on X:

@dan_batemannn

@CraigWL1997