Carlisle United, the Blues from Cumbria, are charging into the 2025-26 National League season after a painful relegation from League Two in 2024-25. Under manager Mark Hughes, the team is poised for a promotion push, starting with their season opener against Woking FC on August 9, 2025, at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
Bolstered by a dominant pre-season, a host of new signings, and a significant squad clear-out, Carlisle are ready to tackle the fifth tier.
Let’s dive into their preparations, extensive squad overhaul, and ambitions at Brunton Park.
The 2024-25 Season: A Bitter Relegation
Carlisle United’s 2024-25 League Two campaign ended in heartbreak, finishing 24th with 42 points (10 wins, 12 draws, 24 losses), relegated to the National League after back-to-back demotions from League One.
Despite a late-season rally under Hughes, with wins over Port Vale (3-2) and Newport County (3-2) and draws against Salford City (2-2) and Accrington Stanley (1-1), the Blues couldn’t escape the drop. Their attack struggled, scoring 44 goals (among the league’s lowest), while defensive frailties saw them concede 71.
Key players like striker Charlie Wyke and midfielder Callum Guy fought hard, but injuries and inconsistency plagued the squad. The passionate Brunton Park faithful (average attendance ~6,000) remained a cornerstone, and owner Tom Piatak’s vision for a rebuild, backed by a major squad refresh, fuels optimism for 2025-26.
Pre-Season 2025-26: A Dominant Run
Carlisle’s pre-season featured five friendlies against non-league and EFL opposition, delivering four wins and one draw. With 10 goals scored (2.00 per game) and only 3 conceded (0.60 per game), the Blues showcased attacking flair and defensive solidity.
- July 19: AFC Fylde 0-2 Carlisle United (A, 3:00pm BST)
A confident 2-0 win over National League side AFC Fylde kicked off pre-season, signaling early attacking intent, possibly with contributions from new signings like Regan Linney or Luke Armstrong. - July 22: South Shields 1-2 Carlisle United (A, 7:30pm BST)
A narrow victory against non-league South Shields showed grit, with wingers like David Ajiboye or Junior Luamba likely adding flair. - July 26: Harrogate Town 0-2 Carlisle United (A, 3:00pm BST)
A 2-0 win over League Two’s Harrogate Town proved Carlisle’s ability to compete with EFL sides, boosting confidence. - July 29: Curzon Ashton 2-2 Carlisle United (A, 7:30pm BST)
The only blemish, a draw against non-league Curzon Ashton, saw Carlisle concede twice but rally to secure a point. - August 2: Chester FC 0-2 Carlisle United (A, 3:00pm BST)
A final 2-0 win over non-league Chester FC capped a strong pre-season, with four clean sheets highlighting defensive improvements, likely aided by Bevis Mugabi and Morgan Feeney.
Stats Snapshot:
- Record: 4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses
- Goals Scored: 10 (2.00 per game)
- Goals Conceded: 3 (0.60 per game)
Carlisle’s pre-season dominance (10 goals scored, 3 conceded) contrasts with Braintree Town’s mixed results (3 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses, 11 goals scored, 10 conceded), signaling a team ready to challenge for promotion.
The four clean sheets and consistent scoring suggest Hughes has instilled balance, addressing last season’s defensive (68 goals conceded) and attacking (44 goals scored) weaknesses.
Squad Changes: A Revamped Roster
Carlisle have overhauled their squad with 11 new additions, blending experience and youth to build a promotion-caliber team, while a significant clearout of 13 players reflects the scale of their rebuild post-relegation.Arrivals: Building for Promotion
- David Ajiboye (Right Winger, 26, Free Transfer from Peterborough United)
A dynamic winger from League One’s Peterborough, Ajiboye adds pace and creativity to the right flank, boosting Carlisle’s attack. - Bevis Mugabi (Centre-Back, 30, Free Transfer from Anorthosis Famagusta)
A physical defender from Cyprus’s top tier (previously Motherwell), Mugabi strengthens the backline, likely key to pre-season’s four clean sheets. - Morgan Feeney (Centre-Back, 26, Free Transfer from Shrewsbury Town)
A League Two-experienced defender, Feeney adds depth and reliability to address last season’s 68 goals conceded. - Josh Grant (Defensive Midfield, 26, Free Transfer from Wealdstone FC)
A tenacious midfielder from the National League, Grant anchors the midfield with experience. - Sam Murray (Left-Back, 20, Free Transfer from Manchester United U21)
A young, attack-minded left-back from Premier League 2, Murray offers potential and cover on the left. - Junior Luamba (Right Winger, 22, Transfer from Salford City)
A pacey winger from League Two’s Salford (transfer fee undisclosed), Luamba enhances attacking options alongside Ajiboye. - Regan Linney (Centre-Forward, 28, Transfer from Altrincham FC)
A proven National League striker from Altrincham (transfer fee undisclosed), Linney adds goal-scoring nous to improve on last season’s 44 goals. - Thomas Randall (Goalkeeper, 18, Promoted from Carlisle United U18)
A homegrown talent, Randall provides depth in goal as a long-term prospect. - Dan Hopper (Attacking Midfield, 18, Promoted from Carlisle United U18)
An academy graduate, Hopper adds creativity and youth to the midfield. - Jake Allan (Central Midfield, Age Unknown, Promoted from Carlisle United U18)
A versatile midfielder from the academy, Allan bolsters squad depth. - Luke Armstrong (Centre-Forward, 28, End of Loan from Motherwell FC)
Returning from a loan at Motherwell (ends June 30, 2025), Armstrong brings EFL experience and goals to lead the line alongside Linney.
These signings address last season’s defensive and attacking struggles, with Mugabi and Feeney fortifying the backline, Ajiboye and Luamba adding wing flair, and Linney and Armstrong boosting the attack. The pre-season’s 10 goals suggest these additions are already clicking.
Departures: A Major Clearout
Carlisle’s relegation prompted a significant squad overhaul, with 13 confirmed departures:
- Sam Lavelle (Centre-Back, 28, Free Transfer to Grimsby Town)
A key defender, Lavelle’s move to League Two’s Grimsby weakens the backline, though Mugabi and Feeney help offset the loss. - Kadeem Harris (Right Winger, 32, Free Transfer to Salford City)
The veteran winger’s departure to League Two’s Salford reduces attacking experience, with Ajiboye and Luamba stepping in. - Matthew Dennis (Centre-Forward, 23, Free Transfer to Notts County)
A young striker’s move to League Two’s Notts County impacts forward depth, putting pressure on Linney and Armstrong. - Ben Barclay (Centre-Back, 28, Free Transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion U21)
Barclay’s move to Premier League 2 reduces defensive options, increasing reliance on new signings. - Taylor Charters (Central Midfield, 23, Free Transfer to Queen of the South FC)
The young midfielder’s move to Scotland’s League One thins the midfield, with Grant and Allan filling the gap. - Will Patching (Central Midfield, 26, Loan Transfer to Coleraine FC)
Patching’s loan to Northern Ireland’s Premiership reduces midfield creativity temporarily. - Paul Dummett (Left-Back, 33, Released, Without Club)
The experienced Welsh defender’s release leaves a gap at left-back, though Murray provides cover. - Callum Guy (Central Midfield, 28, Released, Without Club)
A key midfielder last season, Guy’s departure is a major blow to midfield stability. - Josh Vela (Central Midfield, 31, Released, Without Club)
Another veteran midfielder’s exit further thins the midfield, increasing reliance on Grant and youth. - Dylan McGeouch (Central Midfield, 32, Released, Without Club)
The Scottish midfielder’s release adds to the midfield overhaul, with Hopper and Allan stepping up. - Anton Dudik (Centre-Forward, 20, Released, Without Club)
The young Ukrainian striker’s departure reduces forward depth, though Linney and Armstrong compensate. - Aran Fitzpatrick (Left-Back, 19, Released, Without Club)
The young Irish defender’s exit leaves left-back duties to Murray and others. - Sean Fusire (Central Midfield, 20, End of Loan to Sheffield Wednesday)
The loanee’s return to the Championship’s Sheffield Wednesday ends his contribution, further depleting the midfield.
The loss of five midfielders (Guy, Vela, McGeouch, Charters, Patching), two centre-backs (Lavelle, Barclay), and two forwards (Dennis, Dudik) reflects a major rebuild, with new signings tasked with filling significant gaps.
The pre-season’s four clean sheets and 10 goals suggest the new squad is adapting well.
The Road Ahead: 2025-26 Ambitions
Carlisle’s 2024-25 relegation was a blow, but their history, fanbase, and revamped squad make them promotion favourites in the National League. A top-7 finish for a playoff spot is the minimum target, with automatic promotion (1st place) the goal.
The pre-season’s dominance (4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses, 10 goals scored, 3 conceded) and signings like Mugabi, Feeney, Ajiboye, Linney, and Armstrong signal a team ready to compete with York City, Rochdale, and Southend United.
The opener against Woking FC on August 9, 2025, at 3:00pm BST, a 317-mile trip to Surrey, will test their form against a mid-table side (15th in 2024-25). Home games against Boreham Wood, Solihull Moors, and Braintree Town in August offer chances to ignite Brunton Park.The National League’s 10,600-mile travel schedule, including a favorable Boxing Day trip to Gateshead (59.7 miles) and a grueling April 18 clash at Truro City (878-mile round trip), will test Carlisle’s depth.
The FA Cup (fourth qualifying round, October 11) and FA Trophy (third round, December 13) provide additional opportunities to build momentum.
Follow Carlisle’s journey at their official website or the National League’s site for tickets, updates, and potential live streams.
With a revamped squad, a dominant pre-season, a passionate Brunton Park crowd, and Hughes’s leadership, the Blues are primed to rise in the 2025-26 National League!
