JAMIE Devitt has said that he 'will forever be a Carlisle fan' as he departs the Blues.

On Tuesday, May 30 it was announced in a statement on the club's website that Devitt would be one of the players released by the club ahead of their return to League One. 

The midfielder spent four and a half years at Carlisle United over two spells with the club, with the latter being a return in January 2022 when the club appeared to be heading out of the English Football League.

However, 18 months on from his return, the Blues were celebrating promotion to League One at Wembley, with Devitt reflecting on the journey in a social media statement.

He said: "It has been one hell of a journey with you Cumbrians and it will stay with me forever. 

"From getting a standing ovation as an opposition player, to walking out in that Blue shirt, I never would have ever imagined the friends I would have made over that time."

"From the girls in the club shop, the office staff, Andy and Amy in the media team, Tracey the Ladies' manager, Sam the cleaner, Emma and Karen, the ladies in hospitality, Liam the chef, and everyone else at the club.

"I cannot thank you all enough for the way you have treated my family and myself."

Devitt also put on record his heartfelt thanks to his teammates, coaches, and, most importantly, the Brunton Park faithful.

He said: "To the coaching staff, thank you for your tireless work on a day-to-day basis to make this promotion possible and finish my journey at Carlisle in the most special way possible.

"To my teammates, wow, I have never shared a dressing room with so many cannons and weirdos!

"It has been an absolute pleasure and definitely the best dressing room I have ever been involved in.

"The love we have for each other has got us promotion, what an unbelievable group of men we have, and those memories will live with us forever.

"Now to the fans, you deserve this promotion so much, I cannot thank you enough for all the support you have given us. 

"Trust me, it makes such a difference when we are all as one.

"It is you lot that have got us over the line, the noise at home to Bradford and then those celebrations at Wembley will live with me forever.

"I will forever be a Carlisle fan and hopefully one day can return to your amazing club in some capacity."