Stockport County defender Ben Barclay is the latest new arrival at Brunton Park as Paul Simpson’s Carlisle United squad continues to take shape.
The 25-year-old Manchester-born defender has linked up with the Blues on a season long loan from the newest members of the EFL’s League Two.
He ended last season on loan with National League side Yeovil and during his career also spent a loan spell with Notts County.
The majority of his 78 senior appearances were at Accrington Stanley (36) after he joined the League One side following his release by Brighton.
He had joined Brighton after playing youth football at Manchester City, and although he never made a Premier League appearance with the Seagulls he did play in a League Cup-tie against Southampton which they lost 1-0.
He joined Stockport County in August 2021, and after 12 appearances enjoyed a 20-game loan spell with Yeovil to finish off last term.
Simpson said: “He’s a player I’ve been aware of for a good few years. He’s had a few loans out, he’s collected a number of appearances and he’s a player who I think can come in and help us.
“I talked about it last week that I’ve been looking to get some defenders into the club, and I’m hoping that Ben is the first of more to come.
“We’ve got to wait and see what happens over the next few days, and certainly the coming weeks, with the work we’re doing on that.
“He’s a defender who likes to defend. He’s a decent footballer, he’s strong in the aerial challenges and I just think we need more competition in the key areas.
“We want to improve the squad and I think he’s one who will add to what we’ve already got. He’s a good one for us and, as I say, I’m hoping there’s going to be more.”
“We’ve been speaking to players over the last few weeks and this is one that we’ve talked about a lot. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get an agreement with Stockport.
“It’s a season long loan, with a view that there might be something more further down the line. The challenge for Ben now is to show us that he deserves to get in the team ahead of the other defenders we’ve got.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him work with us. He showed people what he’s about at Yeovil last season, he played a lot of games there, and I know they were delighted with him.
“It’s a step up now. He’s shown that he can do it in the past with Accrington, and I’m genuinely pleased that we’ve got him.
“He’s become surplus to what Stockport wanted because they’re bringing players in left, right and centre, and they’re having a real go for it. We’ve been able to step in and benefit from that situation.”
Simpson has also confirmed that the three trialists who played in the 5-1 win at Penrith will not be joining the Blues.
He said: “They were all good lads and they did well, but I don’t believe in keeping people hanging around for the sake of it.
“We weren’t able to offer anything at this point so I’ve spoken to them and they’ve now left us.
“Like I say they worked hard with us through what was a tough week and we wish them well.”
