2000-08-10
Going into the new season with a new
manager, coach and almost entirely new
squad, Carlisle United are a different
team - Chester City to be precise!
We've taken their manager, players and
some would say their league place too,
but we finished higher and that's that!
CUFC fans have a feeling that things
will be better this season. We are
hoping to avoid our 5th relegation
battle in 6 years!
2000-08-17
Saturday saw CUFC go 2-0 down. "Same as
last season", I hear you cry, but no,
this season they showed steel and came
back and got a deserved 2-2 draw.
Before the game I was predicting bottom
three after 6 or 7 games and 8th - 10th
at the end of the season. I'll stick
with that prediction for now.
But like all the 4491 fans there, I was
pleased to cheer a CUFC team. Now the
missing fans can return.
2000-08-24
It is always disappointing to lose, in
the cup as well as the league, but we
need to "keep the faith" and realise
that Atkins' Revolution will take time.
In the meantime, we can take comfort in
the knowledge that, unlike last season,
our team can keep their heads up when
losing.
Friday night is a good excuse to get to
BP, enjoy the game & then go out on the
town afterwards. See you there!!
2000-08-31
The revolution gains momentum. 3 points
away at Shrewsbury is a welcome kick-
start to the season. The team is in a
much better league position than I'd
expected at this stage.
It is, however, pleasing to note that
we are now above B&HA, the team which
beat us on the last day of last season.
With the trip to new boys Kidderminster
on Saturday, we may well have our new
form tested severely.
2000-09-07
Two away league games, two wins. A good
cup performance against Grimsby. Wake
me up, I'm in an Alternate Reality!!
The team is doing well and the fans are
coming back. A large attendance and
party atmosphere is expected at BP for
the Rochdale match on Saturday.
At the season start I predicted bottom
three after 6/7 games. Odds are 66/1
for the Championship? I think I can
spare a quid for that!!
2000-09-14
Hi to David and other East Stand regs.
The quality of referees that visit BP
is lamentable most of the time, but the
one we had for the Rochdale match was
appalling. He may or may not have cost
us the match.
No such defence for the Chesterfield
game. In Valen's Name!! CUFC were dire.
The club wants cheerleaders. Any other
middle-aged men fancy wearing skirts &
wellies and waving inflatable sheep?
2000-09-21
The defeat against Chesterfield was one
of the more humiliating defeats we have
had in recent years. They were clearly
a class above us. They took us apart.
Oh how we have fallen.
The fact that this comes amid the DTI
final report on the worthiness of Mr &
Mrs Knighton as company directors...
Well, it merely rubs salt into our
wounds. I have always believed in
"innocent until proven guilty". It
appears the DTI have cast judgement.
2000-09-28
The natives are restless, but it is not
Atkins they are venting their fury at,
it is the board.
The club claims no money for players
because of the low attendances. Well,
in order to have crowds, the team needs
to be doing well. In order for the team
to do well, we need good players. To
have good players, we may have to buy
them. So give Atkins some money to buy
them. Before less than 2000 fans are
watching the games.
2000-10-05
The Darlington game was another one of
so many chances missed. But hopefully
we'll get it right.
More loan players have arrived, but we
are seeing few actual signings. Let us
hope it is not going to be a repeat of
last season.
Strangely though, most people are still
optimistic and sure that Atkins will
get it right and that come May next
year we won't be going for a hat-trick.
2000-10-12
Michael Knighton announces again that
he is going, and what is the reaction
of the local Media Mafia? A "red card"
campaign to speed him on his way.
The Cumbrian Newspaper Group too often
resorts to sensationalist tactics. I
often feel that my website reports more
impartially than they do.
I agree with Rob S-B and say accept the
red card handed to you on Saturday, but
chant "Red Card to the News & Star".
2000-10-19
As I left Brunton Park on Saturday I
contemplated throwing myself in front
of a car. It would be quicker and less
painful than having to watch CUFC for
the rest of this season. However I
decided it would be better to see the
players get run over instead. But then
we see that nearly every game.....
Except Tuesday night, where we seemed
to be watching a different team. With a
Frenchman starring. Hmm, it all seems
so familiar....
2000-10-26
Our goalkeeper scores a goal. It sounds
familiar, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it
doesn't guarantee us Div 3 footy next
season. It didn't even get us 3 points.
And that is the problem again. We are
struggling to get points. Atkins is
doing his best with his resources, but
if/when Knighton sells the club, fans
must make a concerted effort to welcome
in a new era and get down to BP for the
first post-Knighton home game. The club
needs YOU!!!!
2000-11-02
One point from 33. Lemarchand, Tracey
and Pitts released. Knighton given 1
week deadline for completion of the
sale by the current board. May we be
cursed to live in interesting times.
A group of fans have got together for
the Kick-Off 2000 campaign. If the club
is sold, then we want to show the new
owners the depth of support that they
can attract, by having a mass turnout
for the first home game under the new
owners. Spread the word and be there!
2000-11-09
CUFC Fan + match = Rabbit + headlights
Both know that it'll kill them, but
they have to watch it anyway.....
The last week has seen more speculation
that the club will be sold shortly. If
it is, then we need to show the new
owners the potential attendance.
Kick-Off 2000 is a plea to all those
absent fans to get back to BP for the
first match under new ownership.
Whenever it is, be there!!
2000-11-16
Another keeper and a home win!! I am a
happy bunny for now, rather than a
dazzled one.
The sale of the club to the board fails
because Knighton is selling within two
weeks to "????". Is it Mark Knighton?
Brookes Mileson? The grey Aliens? Or
Henry, the mild mannered janitor?
CUFC fans are eternal optimists and a
win like Saturday convinces us that a
revival maybe around the corner.
2000-11-23
Ian Stevens - 4 Star blockade buster!!
A 5-1 win was a wonder to behold, even
over Conference opposition. It is no
lie to say they probably would have
beaten us a couple of weeks ago.
Our only worries are now off the pitch.
Knighton's no confidence vote in the
current board could be at the behest of
the new owners, so that they can bring
in their own board members. Let us hope
that the new owners also bring in more
money and more success.
2000-11-30
Xmas is coming and all CUFC fans have a
similar prezzie list:
A new owner for the club
More players
League football next season
Will we be the Norwegian Blues? Well we
aren't dead yet. We have not ceased to
be. We are, not yet at least, no more.
The wins over Southend and Woking were
welcome, but we desperately need more
points and time is slowly running out.
2000-12-07
2000-12-14
An away win at Kiddies and a home tie
against a bunch of southern softies.
There'll be a lot of CUFC "fans" coming
out of the woodwork for this match. I
wish the club had made them go to the
Xmas matches to get vouchers. Being a
fan means supporting your team through
bad times as well as good. By that
measure, CUFC only has about 4000 fans.
If others want to go to see this match,
they should pay their dues.
2000-12-21
Xmas comes but once a year, but we pay
for it all year long. However, this
time round we get a plum meal ticket in
January against Arsenal!
However, let us not allow the visit of
Arsenal to distract us from the real
danger of relegation. To all those fans
who'll come out of the woodwork for the
Arsenal game, how about coming to the
two games over the holidays and show a
bit of support then? CUFC is for life,
not just one big game now and then.
2000-12-28
My Twelve New Year Wishes: 1 League Football at BP next season. 2 New ownership for CUFC. 3 A lottery win, then I can buy CUFC. 4 A loving, friendly world. 5 More pies. 6 More alcohol. 7 More pies. 8 More alcohol. 9 Players committed to playing. 10 New songs to sing. 11 League Football at BP next season. 12 A win over the Southern Softies.
2001-01-04
Well, CUFC have new owners at last in
time for Arsenal's visit on Saturday.
As many of my regular readers will
know, there have been plans on hold for
a follow up to last season's SOS 2000.
SOS 2001 - A soccer Odyssey!
CUFC v Shrewsbury Town, Sat 13 January
Many fans have stayed away for various
reasons. The SOS independent group of
fans now call on you all to return to
BP on 13.1.2001 and show the potential
number of fans this club has.
2001-01-11
CUFC 0-1 Arsenal. A moral victory, also
because the Arse cheated and fouled
their way through the game. Sorry Mr
Littlejohn of 606, but it was your Arse
boys that were the thugs, not CUFC.
Bookings: CUFC 2-3 Arsenal, and the ref
let them off lightly several times.
It was nice to see BP full on 3 sides
again. But will we see them at BP for
Kick-Off 2001 this Saturday?? Although
none of us are too sure about the new
regime, give them a chance. Be there.
2001-01-18
Firstly, KO2001 was postponed until the
situation at the club is known for sure
I personally feel this was a mistake.
We need to show the new owners that we
will show good faith. For us to react
to rumour and speculation is a mistake.
Secondly, we won! It was good to see a
CUFC team fighting hard to win a game.
Also, we saw the dark side in Shrews
targeting Prokas to try and get him
booked. The team fought hard and well
and the fans showed their appreciation.
2001-01-25
Our chances of Jammy Dodger-ing another
Division 3 season are getting better.
With 4 games in hand and only 2 points
behind, there must be much changing of
trousers going on in Exeter.
Confidence amongst fans and players is
certainly higher post-Arsenal/takeover
and a point at Hartlepool was a good
result, although all three points were
there for us, and that in itself is
encouraging. Nobody would believe us,
but the Blues ARE staying up!!
2001-02-01
Following the Arsenal match and Mamcarr
takeover, CUFC have had two wins and
three draws which at the end of January
saw them close to only one point behind
Exeter City, and with 3 games in hand.
The last 15 minutes against Mansfield
showed the importance of a good crowd,
with CUFC defending resolutely as the
BP crowd cheered them on. So put aside
whatever reasons you have for not
attending and come on down. Finally,
Atkins has asked for a drum....
2001-02-08
Now is the time for fans to put aside
any doubts and help to ensure that CUFC
stay in the League.
Although the team play the games, don't
doubt the power of the Fan. We have all
seen how players respond to support.
So once again, all true CUFC fans get
down to BP and support YOUR team.
PS Less of the negative waves, Cumbrian
Newspapers.
2001-02-15
Tuesday's Hartlepool game saw what many
had feared. Prokas is a marked man. The
Tackle has led players to dive and refs
to give them the benefit of the doubt.
We were on top in that game, but Prokas
dismissal and a dubious penalty turned
the game against us. Atkins followed
Prokas down the tunnel and the game was
sealed.
However, given the current buoyant mood
of the team, I think we will be OK.
2001-02-22
Back to bottom, but we don't seem too
disheartened this time. A good point at
Chesterfield, although three were there
but we were denied by "Old Trafford"
extra-time.
We always seem to be cursing Officials
but it does seem that we suffer more
than we benefit from them. Certainly,
when I have had an impartial observer
with me, they seem to mostly agree we
are hard done by officials. However bad
they are, though, CUFC should overcome.
2001-03-01
All reports say how bad the Exeter game
was. This was a game we needed to win,
it was on a par with the Chester games
last season. To lose was bad enough,
but to have had the game winnable only
for a poor team performance to lead to
a defeat was unforgivable.
A couple of years ago I said that we
need players who are willing to go the
distance for us. We seem to have few of
those left. One is Prokas, but he has
now become a marked man. Darkness falls
2001-03-08
"The team played well & with pride last
night, but the fans were OUTSTANDING."
Mick Mitchell.
So there you have it, fans can make the
difference. So once again, I call all
stay-aways to get down to BP and show
your support!! However depressed we may
feel, remember Glass and the Chester
games. CUFC is important and we need to
show that we WON'T roll over and die!!
IAN ATKINS' BLUE-WHITE ARMY!!
IAN ATKINS' BLUE-WHITE ARMY!!
2001-03-15
The fans are upbeat, the players have
heart and we're winning points. It is
looking good again.
Ian Atkins asked for drums, but every
drum is confiscated, as happened at
the Orient match!! As a result many of
us bang on the back of the East Stand.
Before the Orient match I was warned by
a steward not to do this. I accept that
this may damage our fragile metal and
concrete structure, but we are trying
to urge our team on to victory.
2001-03-22
Who is/are Mamcarr? At the moment I
don't care. What is important is the
league survival of CUFC. We can sort
the rest out afterwards. So, get off
your comfy Sky bombarded sofas and show
that you are still a CUFC fan.
We have two big games ahead of us and
100% committed fans will play a major
part. We need noise. And balloons. So
Wallbangers to the East Stand back row
on Friday for the Torquay match & big
lunged people to Halifax on Tuesday.
2001-03-29
4 points from 6 over two relegation
rivals. I'd have snatched that if it'd
been offered last Thursday. Things are
looking good and CUFC are making plenty
of chances each game. The team is on a
high and the fans are excellent at the
moment. Lets keep it up!!
My current favourite for the drop are
Barnet. They are struggling. But there
are so many teams (including CUFC) that
are in danger of the drop that it is
too early to call.
2001-04-05
My tip of Barnet for the drop looks OK
after another bad week for them. Barnet
v Torquay on the last day is now lining
up to be a key game. If they are at the
bottom, then other teams will need to
only be 2 points above the higher team.
But we should not get complacent. There
are still tough games ahead, and 4 in
10 days starting Saturday, with 3 away,
will be hard work. So lets get behind
the team. More (biodegradable) confetti
and balloons at games, please!
2001-04-12
One game rained off, and the other that
we wish had been. 6-0.... Ah well....
We must not get down-hearted. Our fate
is still in our hands and the players
and fans must continue to put in 100%
effort.
Blackpool on Saturday is a big game and
we must get 3 points from it so that we
keep a gap between us and the bottom.
Be there. With balloons. And confetti.
And big voices. And drums.....
2001-04-19
As CUFC fans we continually moan about
poor officials, but Mr Alcock wins the
prize as the worst of them all. Defeat
to Scunthorpe was bad enough, but the
loss of three players for the Southend
match is a big problem.
Hopefully the club will make formal
complaints about the decisions during
the game and his statements afterwards.
Moving on, our position is looking
better but we still need 100% support.
2001-04-26
Lincoln v CUFC postponed twice because
of a water logged pitch. Team and fans
were en route or already at the ground.
This is unacceptable.
Halifax's and Lincoln's remaining home
games should now be played at neutral
grounds, as happened with a recent CUFC
AWS match. If either team has another
match postponed, then it will have to
be played after other teams have played
their last games or we postpone the
final day fixture list a week.
2001-05-03
For once our fate will not be decided
on the final day. However, this team
has shown real guts this season and we
have survived again!
11am, Saturday 5 May, 2001 at The Sands
is the first public meeting of CCUIST,
the new Supporters' Trust. This is a
real chance for fans to contribute to
the survival of CUFC. Be there, listen
to them and make up your own mind.
So make a day of it. A day to remember.
2001-05-10
The last game of the season was, for
once, a relaxing affair. It was the
earliest pre-season friendly I've
remember attending! Hopefully, this was
the last time we have to live through
a season long relegation battle.
The first public meeting of CCUIST, the
CUFC Supporters' Trust, went well. This
is a real chance for fans to contribute
to the survival of CUFC. Read about it
and make up your own mind, but I am
backing them.
| RIOA Index |
Teletext submissions |
Email the webmaster |