Manager Keith Curle has paid a glowing tribute to Carlisle United's groundstaff and stadium manager David Mitchell after they were named the best in League Two.

Curle said the accolade was richly deserved for the dedication and skill Mitchell and his colleagues Paul "Nobby" Butler and Matt Henry bring to the job.

Mitchell received the award after United pipped Doncaster, Portsmouth and Plymouth to the EFL divisional award.

And United's boss said today: "It is absolutely fantastic, for David and his team.

"There is a lot more to David's job than just sitting on a lawnmower and changing the stripes on the pitch.

"The work he does is fantastic, no only on the ground and the training ground at Brunton Park but also at Creighton."

Mitchell has been United's head groundsman since 2005 and this week's honour is the latest in a series of accolades.

Curle added: "All you wish for as a manager and coach is consistent surfaces to train and play on. You don't want your training sessions to be dependent on your playing surface, and have to tailor it depending on whether the pitch it too bumpy, too hard, doesn't have enough grass, and so on.

"David and his team deserve that award and the club should also be very proud for helping him the way that they do.

"The club is not shy when it comes to pitch renovations at the start of the season. Last year it was after the floods, and the [Rod Stewart] concert in the summer which put a real workload onto David and his team.

"But the work ethic he has is excellent. I ring him up sometimes when I'm travelling, often at silly o'clock, and he always answers so we can discuss our thoughts on the training venue or pitch and what I need.

"He's always willing to help.

"When I first came to the club one of the first people I got warned about was Dave Mitchell - that he was grumpy, lacks communication, is very protective of his pitches...but I've got on fantastically well with him.

"He knows I care about the work he does, and there is a level of respect and appreciation from both parties."