Carlisle United F.C.
English football team.
Carlisle United Football Club is a professional football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, competing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1904, the club initially played under the name Shaddongate United before rebranding as Carlisle United during an annual general meeting. The team began its journey in the Lancashire Combination and quickly established itself within regional leagues.
The club's home ground, Brunton Park, has been their base since 1909. Over the years, Carlisle United has undergone various changes in fortune. They achieved their first major success by winning the Third Division North title in 1922, marking their entry into the Football League. Throughout the mid-20th century, they experienced fluctuating results, including a notable promotion to the Second Division in 1964.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Carlisle United enjoyed a period of relative success, finishing consistently in the upper half of the Second Division and even reaching the top tier of English football in 1974. Their time in the First Division was brief; they were relegated after just one season despite some memorable victories against established clubs.
The following decades were challenging for Carlisle. The club faced relegation and financial difficulties that culminated in their exit from the Football League in 2004, making them the first former top-flight team to drop into non-league football. However, they quickly bounced back by winning promotion from the Conference at the first attempt in 2005.
In subsequent seasons, Carlisle United found stability and success once again, securing promotion to League One after winning the League Two title in 2006. They remained competitive within this division for several years but faced another relegation at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Carlisle United has a storied history in cup competitions as well. They have reached the final of the Football League Trophy six times—the most of any club—winning it twice in 1997 and 2011. Their consistent appearances in this competition highlight their ability to perform on significant occasions.
The club's nickname is "The Blues," reflecting their traditional blue kit. Their mascot is a fox named Olga, which has become a recognizable figure associated with the club's identity.
Rivalries are an essential aspect of Carlisle's history, particularly with clubs like Barrow and Hartlepool United.