Carlisle United's die-hard fans will face another near-11,000-mile marathon next season.

Exeter's defeat in the League Two play-off final means the Cumbrians will cover 10,737 miles in the new campaign.

It is a slightly shorter round trip than last season, when the Blues and their travelling fans covered 11,016 miles in the 46-game league season.

But United fans will still face one of the longest seasons on the road among fourth-tier clubs.

The Grecians' 2-1 defeat to Blackpool at Wembley on Sunday means one of the Blues' furthest away trips from last season remains on the agenda.

The Seasiders' promotion to League One also deprives fans of one of their shortest journeys.

Hartlepool's relegation also takes one of Carlisle's nearest trips off the agenda.

And while long jaunts to Portsmouth and Plymouth will not be faced after they reached League One, the promotion of Forest Green and Lincoln from the National League to replace relegated Pools and Leyton Orient have added extra miles onto United's season.

Also in League Two next season will be the relegated third-tier quartet of Port Vale, Swindon, Chesterfield and Coventry.

United's total mileage last season came to 12,918, including cup ties and the play-offs.

That was still a long way short of 2015/16's record-breaking total of 15,748 miles, in a season when the Storm Desmond floods saw United play three home games away from Brunton Park, as well as several long-distance away cup games.

Fixtures for the new season are out on Wednesday, June 21.

Keith Curle's team, meanwhile, are rated as play-off contenders in the early bookmakers' odds for the 2017/18 campaign.

United's shortest title odds are 14/1.

That has them as eighth favourites, with Mansfield the shortest odds to lift the title next year.

The Stags, 5/1 with Sky Bet, have already made a host of close-season signings.

United are 7/2 to be promoted and 20/1 for relegation. Morecambe are the early bookies' favourites for the drop.

*The Blues will hold their first AGM for two seasons at Brunton Park tonight.

Last season's meeting for shareholders of Carlisle United AFC (1921) Ltd was never rearranged after the Storm Desmond floods.

Tonight's meeting at Foxy's Restaurant will give shareholders the chance to quiz directors on topics such as investment.

United declined a request from the News & Star to attend.