For the first time in what is still a relatively short career, Mark Gillespie heads to a different football club today. The goalkeeper is making a fresh start at Walsall having decided to end his nine-year stint at Carlisle United.

"It's a big change," he says of his move up to League One. "I could have made the easy decision to live at home, keep playing for Carlisle and stay in my comfort zone a bit. But this is a challenge I wanted, on and off the pitch. Hopefully it will go well for me."

Even at just 25, Gillespie was United's longest-serving player, having joined the youth team at 16, eventually maturing into their first-choice No1. His last moment in a Blues jersey was the cruel sight of Jack Stacey's goal whipping past him in May's play-off semi-final at Exeter.

Had things ended differently there, Gillespie might still be here. But not necessarily. There is a sense when talking to the keeper that he felt he was reaching a natural end to his long time with United, something that was crystallised once the campaign ended.

"With what went on last season, and the drama that was unfolding, I was always focused on doing my best for the team and trying to get the club promoted, which would have been an amazing finale for me," he says.

"Once we finished, and I had a chat with the manager, it quickly became pretty clear that it was probably the right time for myself, and the club, that we went our separate ways.

"I think they wanted an early decision. I totally understand and respect that they wanted to move forward. That was the understanding and that's how it panned out. So it moved quickly from there.

"There's no hard feelings either way, I don't think. It was helpful for both parties that it was brought to a head sooner rather than later. We left very amicably and I wish the club all the very best - that goes without saying."

Carlisle had offered Gillespie a new contract. If they had gone on to Wembley, and won the play-offs, would it have affected his thinking? "Possibly. You never know. Playing in League One was a factor for me, so that would have been one less factor to consider. But it's hypothetical. It wasn't to be, thanks to Jack Stacey."

Gillespie made some rich memories at Carlisle. Asked what sort of club he leaves behind, he describes a good one, but with a suggestion there could be more harmony.

"Firstly, there's a real passionate fanbase who are going to be there through thick and thin," he says. "The potential there is huge if they can get things sorted. And you've got to hand the manager credit for what he's done in turning it round from being adrift at the bottom of League Two.

"They have some very good players for that level. A couple more additions and I'm sure they'll have a good season. I know there's fractions in certain areas of the club but it's important they all try and stick together.

"You look around the country at other clubs and normally the successful ones are the ones that have stability. Hopefully they can get the right balance on and off the pitch and if that's the case, I don't see why they can't be a strong player in League Two next season."

Gillespie is vague on the suggestion of instability when asked to elaborate. "As a player you just hear things, like a normal fan would do. I don't really know the details and ins and outs. I just think it's important everyone is pulling in the right direction.

"We'll see how it unfolds. One thing I do know is they've got an absolutely fantastic dressing room that gave absolutely everything last season. You only had to see the reaction in the dressing room at Exeter to see how much it meant to the players and the staff. Everyone wanted that promotion. But I'm sure they can go again."

That Exeter game was Gillespie's 180th for United, a tally that included a debut at Norwich in May 2010 aged 18 which made him the club's youngest-ever keeper. He became first-choice in 2012 and, after an eventful period that included injuries and big cup-tie moments, was an ever-present in the league last season.

"I broke in the team at 20, and played Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool; three of the biggest clubs in the country. We took one of them all the way at Anfield, which was a great night," he says.

"The season I broke into the team was memorable too. It felt like I was just a young lad playing with his mates, with the likes of [Brad] Potts and [Mark] Beck also breaking in at the same time. We were growing up together in that team.

"The next season in League One was when things started to unravel. In November, when I got injured, the club was mid-table, and we'd just drawn with Wolves at home. Things were looking ok. To then watch that season unravel the way it did was disappointing. Then the League Two campaign didn't go well either.

"But we picked ourselves up and it was looking rosy again, culminating in the play-off season, which had some real highs. The unbeaten run got some real pride back in the team.

"Off the pitch, the floods [in 2015, when Gillespie was rescued from a club house next to deluged Brunton Park]...that experience was bizarre but something I'll also remember for a long time.

"With the club being up there on its own, there was a real sense of coming together and doing it for the area. I suppose saving that penalty down at Yeovil to get the Everton game shortly after those floods was something I was really happy with, because it gave something back. The Everton game was a landmark occasion to say the city's still going strong.

"I'd never claim to be Cumbrian but, having been there since I was 16, I was probably as close as you're gonna get. I always felt the supporters backed me and I don't have a bad word to say about them."

Now he has a new fanbase to try and win over. Walsall, who finished 14th in League One last season, targeted Gillespie early and tabled a two-year deal. "I spoke to a few goalkeeping coaches in [League One] that showed interest, but it became quite clear over the last week to 10 days that Walsall had the strongest interest, and I had my heart set on there in terms of the environment they work in, and the way they want to progress," he says.

"The goalkeeping coach [Neil Cutler] is very highly thought-of down there and across the country. That was a factor as well, to work with someone different and get some new ideas to try and progress my game.

"I want to play at the highest level I can. It's a short career so to have the chance to do that is something I wanted to take. I played my first 50 games in League One and thoroughly enjoyed it, so there's no reason why I can't get back to that level and do well. And who knows where you can go from there?"

Gillespie will be living in a hotel as he starts with the Saddlers, but plans to find a new home in the area with his girlfriend as soon as possible, as he targets involvement in their league opener at Bury on August 5.

"It looks like a decent set-up and they seem very hungry and determined," he adds. "They've got a young squad and I go there with a good number of games under my belt, and I'll try and have a good impact on the dressing-room and on the pitch.

"It's exciting to have that responsibility and to go in and be a big player for them. It will be strange, to come off after the Bury game and see how Carlisle have got on against Swindon, but I'll always wish them well."