A warm welcome to our Cumbrian neighbours who visit us for the first time since their promotion from the Nationwide Conference in 2005.This is "The Blues" fourth season in League One since their promotion from League Two as champions, in their first season back in the Coca-Cola Football League.
What a contrast in fixtures this season to the season they had in the Conference when, amongst others, Canvey Island, Farnborough Town and Leigh RMI were visitors to Brunton Park, this year they play Leeds United, Southampton & Norwich City.What an adventure football is!
Carlisle United have a good record in this competition with three appearances in the final. In 1994/95 they lost 1-0 to Birmingham City (then the Auto Windscreens Shield) in the first professional competition to be decided by a "Golden Goal", they were winners in 1996/97 and again runners-up in 2005/06.
Well, for Shrimps fans, it hasn't been the best start to a campaign but I remain optimistic about the season ahead. The squad has been strengthened and some real quality added in defence, midfield and attacking areas. Sometimes we have to exercise a little patience, not something that we, as football fans, are the best at. As Morecambe supporters we have enjoyed some great moments over the past three and a half years and I am confident that with a little fine tuning Sammy and Mark will have us back on track, let's all give them and the boys on the park our 100% support and play our part by creating a great atmosphere here at Christie Park.
As you will have read in the local press, the construction phase of the new stadium at Westgate has commenced. Brian Fagan, the director responsible for overseeing this exciting project will keep you updated with regular articles here in the matchday programme and on our web-site (www.morecambefc.com). Have a look down on Westgate and see how the landscape has already changed. It is going to be a busy ten months!
We have some great fixtures at Christie Park during September.This coming Friday evening (4th) we entertain Rochdale with a 7.45pm kick off, this is followed on Saturday 19th by the visit of big spending Notts County with Sven Goran Ericsson, Sol Campbell, et al.The month ends with the visit of Bradford City on Tuesday 29th again a 7.45pm kick off. I mentioned earlier the contrast in Carlisle's fixtures compared to their Conference days, those three matches at Christie Park don't look too bad either!
Enjoy tonight's game and please make some noise.
