Current table toppers Carlisle United nicknamed the Cumbrians, Blue Army or the Blues were formed in 1903 as a result of the merging of 2 Carlisle based teams Shaddongate United and Carlisle Red Rose. They initially played their matches at Milhome bank before relocating to their current home Brunton Park.
After playing in the Lancashire Combination and the North Eastern League they eventually joined the football League Division 3 North in 1928/29 and then later Division 4 in 1958/59 after the regional structure was abandoned.
The 1960`s and 70`s were a golden period for the Cumbrians, after successive promotions in 1963/64 and 1964/65 the club found themselves in Division 2. Five years later the club reached the semi final of the league cup and three years later were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, the team were relegated the following season but the blow was softened somewhat when the team reached the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.
The club were relegated again in 1977 and have yo-yoed between the lower 2 divisions ever since. In 1994-95 the club enjoyed a hugely successful season when they won the Division 3 title and were also runners up in the Auto Windscreens Shield trophy where they went down 1-0 to Birmingham in the final. Two seasons later the club went one better when they won the aforementioned Auto Windscreens Shield by defeating Colchester on penalties, they were also promoted to Division 2 again having been relegated the previous season.
In 2003/04 the club sank to their lowest ebb when they were relegated to the Conference but they were only there for one season and returned to league 2 via a 1-0 play off victory over Stevenage Borough. A year later the Blue Army found themselves back in league one again after being crowned Division 2 champions in 2005/06.
The Cumbrians nearly made it 3 in a row last term but in the end had to settle for a respectable 8th position. Now the Seagulls travel to Brunton Park to face a team who are top of League 1!
It promises to be a tough test for the Albion
Player to watch
Joe Garner
Vital Brighton Prediction
Brighton 1 Carlisle 0
Share this article
