Cumbrian Crystal

Carlisle United

Odds: 25 / 1

The last five seasons
2005/06 - 1 (League Two, promotion), 2004/05 - 3 (Conference, promotion), 2003/04 - 23 (League Two, relegated), 2002/03 - 22 (League Two), 2001/02 - 17 (League Two).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup First Round vs Cheltenham Town (a) - lost 1-0.
Carling Cup First Round against Burnley (a) - lost 2-1.
Football League Trophy final (n) vs. Swansea City - lost 2-1.

Top Goalscorer 2005/06: Karl Hawley (striker) - 26 goals.

Players In
David Raven (Liverpool - free), Kevin Gall (Yeovil Town - Free), Paul Murray (Beira Mar - free), Luke Joyce (Wigan Athletic - Free).

Players Out
Brendan McGill (Gretna - free), Lee Andrews (Torquay United - Free).

Carlisle United have registered a remarkable 12 months that saw storms League Two after being promoted from the Conference and Football League Trophy final appearance which saw them lose narrowly to League One Swansea City High Flyers.

Carlisle won League Two by three points last season, but were comfortably in the automatic promotion places for much of the campaign. They are strong enough to participate in a league remains to be seen, but they should do so as manager Paul Simpson, who left Brunton Park to take over at Preston.

The Cumbrians named their new manager Neil McDonald, and he was assistant to Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace last season but left his post when Dowie left for Charlton Athletic. McDonald began his coaching career at Preston North End before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2000.

McDonald Liverpool defender David Raven his first signing for the club and the player who has spent the latter part of last season on loan at Tranmere Rovers, has signed a two-year contract. McDonald's may face a problem is hung striker Michael Bridges, who kick started his career at Brunton Park. Bridges scored 15 goals last season for Carlisle after his arrival at the club last November and dismissed the Cumbrians a club record £ 250,000 offer from League Two outfit Darlington for the player this summer.

The offer came after Darlington manager David Hodgson has received financial support from President George Houghton. The 27 year old bridges began his career at Sunderland, before injury blighted spells at Leeds United, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and, finally, the city of Bristol.

Verdict
Carlisle have performed admirably over the past two seasons, but may find the step up to a tough league. If the club can take on Michael Bridges and top scorer last season Karl Hawley they might cause a few shocks if they could have a relegation battle on their hands.