A CITY pub has marked its historic links with a professional football club by launching a vintage shirt.

The Milbourne Arms in Carlisle which is currently closed due to the national Covid-19 lockdown, is offering replica Shaddongate United shirts - the club which went on to become Carlisle United.

The striking blue and gold shirts were worn by players from Shaddongate United, who are believed to have got changed at the pub before matches. The club formed in 1896 and changed its name to Carlisle United FC eight years later.

The launch of the shirts was marked by Carlisle United First Team players, forward Gavin Reilly and midfielder Dean Furman, who were pictured with the shirts at the club’s Brunton Park ground.

Profits from the sale of the shirts are being donated to The Gate project, which charts the history of the Shaddongate, Caldewgate and Willowholme areas of Carlisle.

Pub owner Dianne Irving said the initiative was a way of supporting the local community.

“It’s important to us that the pub is at the heart of its community and, although our doors are currently closed, that we can still give something back to the local area.”

She added: “When we discovered that the Shaddongate United players used to get changed at The Milbourne Arms before playing their matches at nearby Willowholme, I thought replicating the shirts was a fitting way to mark its history.”

In tribute to its footballing connections, The Milbourne Arms features a goalkeeping glove signed by Carlisle United’s modern-day hero Jimmy Glass whose goal kept Carlisle in the Football League in 1999, and a poster of all Carlisle United’s 58 different kits from the club’s origins to 2019. Staff also wear Shaddongate United shirts as their uniform.

Andy Hall, Carlisle United’s communications and media manager, said he was delighted the club’s long history was being marked with the replica shirts.

He said: “Carlisle United has been part of the city for more than 120 years and it’s great to see that history being celebrated.”

“Without Shaddongate United there would be no Carlisle United,” pub manager Trevor Wall added.

“It’s good to know the history of the pub and its links to the football club.”

Shaddongate United shirts retail at £50 each and are available in sizes to fit men and women. They are available to order by calling 07702850811 or visiting their Facebook page.