A scheme which has given over 30,000 free tickets to youngsters to watch Carlisle United has celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The Cumberland’s Community Ticket Scheme has given out the tickets to children to see a home match at Brunton Park over the past 20 seasons.
The scheme provides up to 200 free tickets to primary schools, community groups and junior football teams for every home game.
In attendance for the anniversary celebrations on Saturday were Stoneraise School, St Cuthbert’s School, Great Corby School, Petteril Bank School, plus Cockermouth Junior Panthers Under-11s.
The children were provided with a host of activities and challenges from The Cumberland including a mock press conference, penalty shootout and table football, as well as handing out goodie bags, foam fingers and activity booklets.
The Cumberland’s CEO, Stuart Miller, was there to soak up the atmosphere and take pride in their support for the football club.
He said: “The Cumberland is all about its local communities and being an integral part of those communities, so a scheme like this is huge.
“The football club is such a big part, not just of the city, but of Cumbria itself, so it just feels right.
“Our values are so aligned. 20 years is absolutely amazing, but I’m really excited about what we could do in the next 20 years if we continue to build on this partnership.”
For Lucy Weston, ticket office manager at Carlisle United, it is very much a mutual arrangement.
“The Cumberland supports us, we support The Cumberland. It’s so great that we give this opportunity to all these kids, especially if it’s their first visit. It’s fantastic that they can see the players, get some autographs, and have a walk around the pitch.”
United captain Morgan Feeney was one of the players who met some of the children during their tour of Brunton Park.
“The community ticket scheme is a good way to introduce children to the club. It’s great to see the next generation of fans,” he said.
The past 20 years have been very eventful for United, but there are strong signs that the good times are returning.
Mark Hughes watched his team comfortably beat Brackley Town 3-0 on Saturday and is now looking forward to the National League play-off semi-final this weekend with hopes of an immediate return to the Football League.
Among those who have become supporters thanks to the Community Ticket Scheme is Charlotte Veitch, 24, who remembers coming to visit Brunton Park with High Hesket School.
She said: “I must have only been five or six. We enjoyed it so much, it inspired me, and I wanted to go back. Now I’m a season ticket holder.
James Webb, deputy head at Stoneraise, first brought pupils to Brunton Park at the start of the scheme.
“We’ve come every few years,” he said. “Probably a couple of hundred children have come down over the last 20 years and experienced something that they wouldn’t have otherwise.
“Lots of the kids are very local but don’t get to come down. So, for them to come pitchside and see what’s going on, meet the players, it’s a great opportunity.”
“I think it’s fantastic to have schools around Carlisle able to come to their local club. Long may it continue.”
