Our introduction to the top tier of the Non-League pyramid will see Adam Hinshelwood side visit Carlisle United – last season’s third best National League side.
Carlisle were the best performing team not to earn promotion into League Two last season, with title winners York City automatically qualifying for elevation through clinching the National League trophy while runners-up Rochdale edged out Boreham Wood at the play-off final under the Wembley arch.
Based just nine miles from the Scottish border, the Blues are the northernmost professional club in England and the furthest distance away from Woodside Road.
With a new era now underway, United’s objective will be to go one better this season and return to the EFL after a two season hiatus.
History
Carlisle United joined the North Eastern League in 1910, having been expelled from the Lancashire Combination for not being based in Lancashire. They were elected into the Football League in 1928, gaining more votes than Durham City, who had finished next-to-bottom in Division 3 North.
They then climbed through the divisions during the 1960s before reaching the pinnacle of English football in 1974, as they reached the First Division. Remarkably, they topped the top-flight table after winning their opening three matches, although they were relegated at the end of that season.
In more recent decades, Carlisle have become known for memorable moments such as goalkeeper Jimmy Glass’ dramatic last-minute goal in 1999, which preserved the club’s Football League status, and their success at Wembley, winning the Football League Trophy in 1997 and 2011.
Manager – Rob Elliot
Promising Irish Manager and ex-Premier League goalkeeper Rob Elliot has been tasked with leading Carlisle’s bid to return to the Football League.
The 40-year-old made the switch across the North of England after masterminding Gateshead’s great escape from relegation in a second success-laden spell at the Gateshead International Stadium.
Prior to taking over The Heed, the club were languishing in the lower ebbs of the National League standings, propping up the remainder of the league and sitting rock bottom.They had earned just 19 points from 24 games, were 11 points adrift of safety, and were on a severe winless run – stretching to 16 consecutive defeats.
Elliot’s return galvanised the group and they recorded a staggering 31 points during the second half of the campaign, finishing eight points above the dreaded red dotted line.
That feat only further endeared Elliot to the Gateshead home support, following the play-off finish and FA Trophy victory he achieved during his first spell after taking the plunge into management.
Sandwiched in between those two stints was a brief time in charge of then League One side Crawley Town.
A a player, he enjoyed playing career spanning almost two decades as a goalkeeper where began at Charlton Athletic, before spending nine years on the books at Newcastle United. The Carlisle gaffer represented his country on the international stage four times, although a serious knee injury ruled him out of the Republic of Ireland squad for UEFA Euro 2016.
Captain – Morgan Feeney
In the heart of defence, Carlisle skipper Morgan Feeney has established himself as a source of trust and reliability in the Blues’ backline.
The commanding centre-back broke through at Everton’s academy, captaining the Toffees at youth level before making his senior debut in the UEFA Europa League in 2017 against Atalanta at Goodison Park. After migrating to Tranmere Rovers and Sunderland, he initially moved to Brunton Prk in 2021, and captained the Cumbrian outfit to promotion from League Two in 2023 through the play-offs. He then spent two seasons with Shrewsbury Town in League One before returning to Carlisle in 2025,
Feeney represented England at youth international level from Under-17s through to Under-20s.
Previous Meetings
This will be the first time Worthing have faced the Cumbrian side in our existence. Carlisle boast a familiar face in the roster in the form of former Rebels forward David Ajiboye is currently a player for Carlisle.
Stadium – Brunton Park
For comfortably over a century, Brunton Park has been the humble abode of the most well-supported football team in Cumbria.
By capacity, Carlisle’s home is the biggest stadium in the entirety of English Non-League football with spectators able to stream into the stands.
The old school style amphitheatre holds 17,949, although the operational capacity has varied throughout the years due to developments.
Brunton Park consists of four distinct stands including the Warwick Road End which generates majority of the atmosphere on matchdays.
The stadium is seeped and has overcome adversity to remain intact. In 1953, the original wooden grandstand was destroyed by fire which lead to the construction of the modern Main Stand and then severe flooding in 2005 and 2015 caused extensive damage, forcing Carlisle United to temporarily relocate fixtures while repairs were carried out.
Record Attendance
- 27,603 – Carlisle United vs Middlesbrough (FA Cup, 7 February 1970).
Distance from Sussex Transport Community Stadium: 361 Miles
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗