Like many clubs in the lower divisions, Carlisle United has been the proving ground for managers and players. Bill Shankly, Bobby Robson and Bob Stokoe number amongst their former managers whilst players of the calibre of Peter Beardsley, Stan Bowles, John Gorman and Rory Delap have all graced the turf at Brunton Park.
Laurence Gale MSc headed north on a cold December day to meet Head Groundsman, David Mitchell.
UNITED AT CARLISLE S
pare a thought for all the football stadium groundsmen who have to work minor miracles trying to keep their pitches in good nick throughout the busy Christmas period and the colder months of January and February. Not all clubs have the ideal resources to
protect their pitches from the elements, especially those in the lower divisions. Whilst the winter weather in recent years has been quite favourable, for clubs situated in the north of the country conditions have still been severe and testing. One of these clubs is Carlisle United, England’s second most northerly league club after Premiership Newcastle United, and discounting Berwick as they play in the Scottish league!
December in Carlisle can get cold, very cold, and it made me realise the conditions our Groundsmen have to face in the north of the country. It was just before the Christmas holidays that I caught up with the ground staff at the club, a friendly bunch who, between them, had served the club in one way or another for many years. The Head Groundsman is David
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assistant, Norman Potts (69) has been at the club
eight years. Les Nicol (64) works part time on the pitch and
Mitchell, a 42 year old who has been in post since 2004. He is a lifelong supporter of Carlisle United and jumped at the opportunity to work at the club when the previous Head Groundsman retired. His previous job was as Head Greenkeeper at the Eden Golf Club and prior to that, Assistant Greenkeeper at Brampton Golf Club. His
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