Believe it or not, it is now 545 days since the last competitive league game involving a Carlisle side.
Mind you the players have been busy in other ways with over a dozen babies born during lockdown to club members and their partners.
A club spokesman said: ”We’ve had some departures with people moving away, being offered opportunities at a higher level, or simply finding that getting up on Sunday morning without the aches and pains is more preferable. We thank them all for their contribution to the club and hopefully will see them back one day.
“We’ve also had some new arrivals and we welcome them to the club, along with the lads who’ve waited a long time to step up from Colts to senior rugby.
“Congratulations to our new Club Captain James Telford, who takes over from Tom Graham, who will still be around to referee the game from the front row.
“Our new First XV Captain is Chris Auld. A former Scotland u20s and 7s player. Chris takes over from Henry Wainwright who has moved to National League 2 North side Tynedale RFC, and we wish him well there.”
After months of off/on training, no contact training until just over a month ago, the senior men’s season kicks off tonight with a rearranged game for the Crusaders away to Penrith at Winters Park, kick-off 7.30pm.
There were plenty of players putting the work in this week, so a big squad is travelling to Penrith for the opening game of their season. Unfortunately, the scheduled match away to St Benedict’s was called off, with Bennies currently unable to host more than one side at home, and their Firsts due to play De La Salle.
Saturday sees the Firsts take on Kendal in a tasty Cumbrian derby, kick-off is at 3pm as Carlisle will play their rugby in North One West after being relegated by calculator from North Premier in 19/20.
This will be an odd season with “promotion” and “relegation ” not quite as we’ve been used to. The adult men’s leagues will be reorganised in 22/23, so Carlisle are looking for a top-half finish to regain their place in North Premier.
The game is being sponsored by former players, led by Martin Plummer, and the bar is looking forward to them returning. The spokesman concluded: ”We hope as many supporters as possible can come down to Warwick Road on Saturday and throughout the season. We’ve missed you.
“Please get here early if you are coming. Carlisle United are at home so both the car park and clubhouse will fill up quickly.
“Unfortunately the Colts game at Melrose had to be called off, with Covid causing issues amongst their playing and coaching squad. We hope it’s not too serious and they recover uneventfully.”
