Tag: Carlisle United

There is going to be a huge squad overhaul this summer for Mark Hughes’ side. The incoming players are just as important as the outgoing ones and while there has been a lot of players released there is still an abundance of players under contract that need moved on.

Bringing the right profile of player is just as important as shipping the correct players out the door. I have written numerous articles pinpointing players with National League experience that I think Carlisle United should be looking to bring in over the summer but I left my main player out because I was sure he was going to get promoted.

York City lost 3-0 to Oldham Athletic in the play off semi final so that means they will not be getting promoted this season and their players could be open to moves away from the club.

Striker Ollie Pearce has set the league on fire this season with 31 league goals in 46 games and was an integral part for them narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to the football league.

Who Is Ollie Pearce?

The 29-year-old striker has a pedigree of scoring lots of goals in non league football. He was at Worthing for six seasons and scored more than a goal a game in every season he was there. His best season three seasons at Worthing saw him score 43 goals in 27 games, 24 goals in 19 games and 35 goals in 23 games. His only season at York City has saw him score 31 goals. In his last four seasons he has scored a total of 133 goals just in the league. He could be perfect to fire Carlisle to promotion with his experience of scoring bucket loads of non league goals.

How Likely Is This Move To Happen?

I wouldn’t rule anything out but I have mentioned Regan Linney from Altrincham who is also a great non league goalscorer and with the arrival of Marc Tierney and his connections to the club I would say if the blues are going to sign any non league striker it’s more likely to be Linney right now.

My personal opinion I would sign both Pearce and Linney if I could and alternate them with Georgie Kelly, all three would be an unstoppable attacking threat for the National League but it would depend on how many of the current attackers we have that we can ship out first.

I’d love to know what your thoughts are on if Carlisle needs any strikers or are you happy with the strikers we currently have?

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

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@CraigWL1997

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:

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@CraigWL1997

It was announced yesterday that Mark Hughes would be extending his time as Carlisle United manager after the clubs’ relegation to the National League.

The announcement followed the one that saw Greg Abbott leaving his post as head of recruitment.

Both announcements were met with positivity and excitement by the majority of supporters. Abbott’s recruitment has been in question for a long time and his departure is long overdue. Mark Hughes results and upturn in Carlisle’s performances after he took over has warranted him getting the chance to take us straight back in to the football league next season.

Mark Hughes Contract Extension

Hughes joined the Cumbrians in February and has built a great relationship with the players and supporters since his first game in charge.

The Blues’ results and performances improved drastically when Hughes took charge but sadly the damage was already done and he couldn’t save the side from relegation.

Speaking after extending his stay, Mark said: “I’m thrilled to be staying at the club.

“Since joining back in February, the support I’ve received from the fans has been exceptional – thank you.

“I hope to see more of the same next season as we aim for an immediate return to the EFL.”

Chairman, Tom Piatak added: “We’re pleased to confirm the extension of Mark Hughes as Head Coach of Carlisle United.

“Mark brought the squad together during the closing stretch of the season and gave us a fighting chance. His leadership, composure, and connection with the players was clear, and we’re confident in his ability to lead us forward.”

Can Hughes Get Carlisle United Promoted?

The National League is a notoriously hard league to get out of, just ask teams such as Oldham, Rochdale, Hartlepool, Chesterfield, Wrexham and many more team’s fans. Mark Hughes’ managerial experience and record speaks for itself, he’s managed at the very highest level and the relationships he’s built with the club, the players and the fans could be key. It’s important that the recruitment is right this summer and hopefully Hughes will have a big say in that with Abbott now gone.

Promotion is achievable if everything goes right this summer but that is a big if. After back-to-back relegations it’s important that Hughes and the team get back to winning games of football consistently and build on some of the momentum they built at the back end of last season and make Brunton Park a fortress again. Hopefully if the club can achieve those things then a successful season will go hand in hand with that.

Thanks everyone for reading Paddock Perception, myself and Craig will be aiming to bring you as much Carlisle United this summer and when the new season starts up again.

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The reality of playing non-league football next season is slowly setting in with Carlisle United fans right now. I think it’s vital that the blues sign players with National League experience to have the best chance to make an immediate return to the football league.

I wrote an article a few days ago where I picked four players that Mark Hughes should take a look at but I did say there are more than four so I may do another one. Here are four more players with vital National League experience that could play a huge part for Carlisle United next season.

Regan Booty – Midfielder

Booty is the kind of midfielder that does a lot of dirty work that goes unnoticed. He could be the man in midfield that allows players like Whelan and Wearne to get forward to create and score goals. He has lots of experience at National League level having played for Maidstone and Aldershot as well as Gateshead. Given Carlisle’s recent relationship with Gateshead this could be a deal worth looking at.

Alex Newby – Forward

The Altrincham forward has that special something and his partnership with Regan Linney who I mentioned previously has took the National League by storm over the last couple of years. Newby scored 13 goals last season and 15 this season but as well as that he creates chances for those around him. He has vital lower league experience having played for Chorley and Rochdale as well as Altrincham.

Daniel Creaney – Striker

Creaney for Tamworth is a proven goalscorer and his non-league experience and doing it for a prolonged period at that level could be something worth looking at. Creaney has 19 goals this season in a Tamworth side who finished mid-table and two seasons ago scored 35 goals in his best season for the club. This would depend on what happens with Carlisle’s current strikers because with Georgie Kelly, Luke Armstrong, Charlie Wyke all available next season they would probably have to move some on before bringing any others in.

Manny Monthe – Defender

Monthe with his experience in the lower leagues having played for clubs such as Tranmere, Walsall and Forest Green as well as Oldham. could be an excellent signing as he is big strong and powerful which is what we’ll need in the National League. He has been injured for a while so a move would depend on fitness and Oldham not going up.

There are still some players I’ve yet to mention but a lot of these depend on so many different outcomes such as fitness, clubs retained and released lists and whether they have been promoted with their clubs or not. Remember these are just my opinion as well and I have no insider information I’m purely just giving some ideas.

Thanks everyone for reading Paddock Perception, I hope you all enjoyed it! Remember to follow myself and Craig on social media for more Carlisle updates and content.

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After Mike Williamson’s sacking on 1st February following a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Swindon at Brunton Park Carlisle United were cut adrift at the bottom of League Two and showed no signs of fight, passion or pride.

The subsequent appointment of Mark Hughes raised a few eyebrows but his experience and CV spoke for itself. He came in when the player’s confidence was at rock bottom and the supporters had given up hope.

He took over a sinking ship and gave the players a reason to fight and show some pride in their performances again. Ultimately Carlisle were still relegated but that was not down to Mark Hughes, the damage was already done but he gave us a fighting chance which nobody thought we had. The powers that be have to put their faith in Mark Hughes this summer and let him build a team that he can get out of the National League at the first attempt.

Today I’m going to look at Hughes’ Carlisle United managerial record and tell you why I’m backing him to take us back up to the football league.

Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United Record

Since his arrival in February Hughes has won five games, drawn six and lost seven. Now that record may not set the world alight when you add in that none of these players are his players, he’s trying to manage a mess left by two sacked manager and dreadful recruitment and he still managed to get 21 points from that is a huge tick in the box. If he gets his own players and turns a few of them draws in to wins and a couple of defeats in to positive results and all of a sudden his record looks a whole lot better.

What impressed me since Mark Hughes came in was that we were doing the basics right again. We’d forgotten how to do the basics under Williamson and Hughes had us defending our goal better, keeping the ball better and most importantly creating chances again.

Another thing that impressed me was the improvement of certain players under Hughes which highlights his man management ability as well. Georgie Kelly was fit and firing, Gabe Breeze getting better with every game, Stephen Wearne and Callum Whelan creating chances and Matthew Dennis leading the line well.

Why Keep Mark Hughes?

Hughes has now built a relationship with this squad of players, he knows who he can trust and who he needs to move on. He has improved individual players which highlights his man management ability, he has got the best out of what he has but now he has a chance to bring in his own players and coaches and really put a stamp on this team and I think he’s earned the right to do that.

Hughes was an excellent striker in his playing days and I think it’s no coincidence that he took over and now our strikers are firing. If he got strikers that he actually recruited I would imagine that would be a huge plus for this side as well.

I do understand that Hughes and his style of play isn’t for everyone but I’d rather play the Hughes way than the Williamson and Simpson way. He deserves this season with full backing to see what he can achieve with his team.

Thanks everyone for reading Paddock Perception, I hope you enjoyed it.

Please follow Dan and Craig on X for more Carlisle United content.

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@CraigWL1997

There is going to be a major overhaul on and off the pitch this summer at Brunton Park and with a lot of players out of contract there will be a lot of emphasis on getting the outgoings right as well as the incomings.

Today I’m going to look at four players who are under contract next season that should be moved on for a number of reasons but mainly due to performance levels.

There are players who are out of contract that will be gone regardless such as Ben Barclay, Paul Dummett, Joe Bevan, Dylan McGeouch and Josh Vela as well as loanees returning to their parent clubs such as Joe Hugill and Charlie McCarthur.

Elliot Embleton – Midfielder

Embleton hasn’t performed in Carlisle shirt and doesn’t warrant the length of contract or money he is receiving. He has let the club down in big games by getting sent off and has had altercations with supporters. He may be good on his day but his attitude is not something Mark Hughes or the fans want around the club.

Jordan Jones – Winger

Jones came with a good reputation and a certain pedigree having played at clubs in higher leagues such as Sunderland and Wigan but he’s flattered to deceive the majority of the time. He has had no end product and has let the club down with his attitude and diving in games and certainly needs to be moved on by Mark Hughes.

Harry Lewis – Goalkeeper

Lewis came to Carlisle in 2023 from Bradford City and was highly thought of and rated by fans of both clubs but since his arrival his time at Brunton Park was a tale of errors and costly ones at that. He lost his place to Gabe Breeze and has never had a look in since. He certainly needs to be moved on for the club’s sake and his own.

Joshua Williams – Wing-Back

Williams came in from Birmingham City and excited crowds with his pace early on in games but he was very wasteful and defenders worked him out quite quickly. He’s been injured since the middle of February but he isn’t what Mark Hughes needs in the National League and should be moved on.

There are some players that I have missed off but also need to be moved on such as Cedwyn Scott and Will Patching. All of these players are under contract until at least 2026 but some are contracted even longer. It will be a challenge to move all of these players on but the club have to get this summer right and can’t afford to miss chances to get deals like these done so fingers crossed it can happen.

Thanks everyone for reading the latest Paddock Perception, I hope you all enjoyed it.

With everyone eagerly awaiting the Carlisle United retained and released list I wanted to look at four current players that should be staying at Brunton Park and whom Mark Hughes can build a team around for next season in the National League.

I previously wrote an article picking four players to bring in this summer but I think there are some players in this current squad with the quality to perform at National League level and Mark Hughes can get the best out of.

Some players such as Gabe Breeze and Kadeem Harris aren’t in my list of four because I think they will be moving on to clubs in the football league.

Callum Whelan – Midfielder

Whelan since his arrival from Gateshead has shown some signs of real quality. He’s great on the ball and can find a pass, he also has an eye for goal and can create from deep. He has bags of non-league experience having played for Gateshead, Oldham and Solihull Moors. Hughes will need someone with his creative spark to create for our forwards next season.

Stephen Wearne – Midfielder

Wearne has proven since he has came in to the side that he can be relied on and has an eye for goal. He’s created and scored goals in a side that was struggling to do both which is very impressive. He also has valuable non-league experience having played for Gateshead and Torquay. His goal contributions next season could be the difference between mid-table and play-offs.

Archie Davies – Defender

Davies was one of Carlisle’s more consistent performers last season despite being injured for large parts. He can defend his box well but also can attack and create when going forward. He has non-league experience having played for Aldershot and if he can stay fit will be a mainstay in this side next season under Mark Hughes.

Georgie Kelly – Striker

I was undecided on Kelly because of his injury record but his form back end of the season and the goals he scored has shown me what he’s capable of when he’s fit and gets the right service. If he can stay fit and the team continue to provide him with chances he will score goals. His record with injury is a worry but he has shown wherever he has played that if he gets a run of games he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. Defiantly worth taking that chance.

There are a couple of others that I wouldn’t mind seeing stay such as Aaron Hayden and Jack Ellis but other than that I think the majority of the squad needs a huge overhaul due to dreadful recruitment over recent years.

Please let me know what you all think of this latest Paddock Perception article. Thanks for reading everyone!

Since Carlisle United’s relegation to the National League was confirmed a number of weeks ago I have been saying that this summer is huge and maybe the most important in the club’s history. The club needs a complete overhaul on and off the pitch.

The club are currently trying to tie manager Mark Hughes down to a new deal while looking for a director of football. On the pitch we are all eagerly awaiting the retained and released list that should be due any day now so we can see where the club need to focus when recruiting this summer.

Today I’m going to look at four players with National League pedigree which I think is essential this summer that could transform this Carlisle United side.

Regan Linney – Altrincham

Regan Linney is a proven goal scorer in non-league football. He has scored goals for every club he’s played for and first caught my eye at FC United of Manchester. His work ethic off the ball and ability to stretch defences is a great attribute and he can score a multitude of different types of goals. This season he has scored 23 times and is one of the main reasons Altrincham only narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Ben Goodliffe – Southend Utd

With Terell Thomas and Sam Lavelle likely to leave this summer I think a big strong centre-back or two is certainly needed. Goodliffe has plenty of experience in the lower leagues and has been excellent for Southend since joining from Colchester. Southend are in the play-offs but if they don’t go up I would definitely take a look at him if I was recruiting for Carlisle.

Toby Savin – Halifax Town

Savin is one of the standout goalkeepers in this league and is highly thought of at Halifax. If Halifax don’t go up through the play offs Savin could be a replacement for Gabe Breeze who will probably want to stay in the football league. Savin is on loan at Halifax from Shrewsbury so it could be a difficult deal to do but if Halifax don’t go up and with Shrewsbury being related to League Two there could be potential for a deal to be done.

Nick Haughton – AFC Fylde

Haughton is one of most talented players in the league in my opinion and has consistently performed to a high standard even in a struggling team. His last four seasons he has scored lots of goals (19,18,26,26). He creates from midfield and can add a cutting edge to Carlisle’s attack. Fylde have just been relegated to the National League North as well so Carlisle could potentially get this deal done quite easily you would imagine if both parties were interested.

I have more players that I think would be a good fit for Carlisle from the National League but I want to see who gets promoted out of the play-offs first but I could potentially do another article on this after the National League season concludes.

Myself and Craig will be writing articles over the summer and next season covering everything Carlisle United and we hope you enjoy Paddock Perception going forward. Thanks everyone!