Jason Kennedy concedes he is frustrated at how his time at Carlisle United ended.

The popular midfielder was one of eight players released by the Blues at the climax of their 2018/19 season after making 109 appearances in a four-year spell which became blighted by injury.

He initially joined the Cumbrians in March 2015 on a one-month loan from Bradford and then signed a two-year contract with United in May that year.

The 32-year-old became a fans’ favourite, scoring in Carlisle’s 2017 League Two play-off semi-final second leg loss at Exeter, but struggled to return to full fitness as he tried to recover from a serious pelvis injury which had kept him out since October 2017 before his New Year’s Day appearance at Morecambe.

“It was strange driving away from Brunton Park,” he said. “It was disappointing because I’ve loved being at Carlisle and I’ve had an amazing four-and-a-half years there.

"I was sad to leave, but that’s football and you’ve just got to pick yourself up and go again.

“It’s a frustrating way to end after a frustrating period with injury. When I got injured, I think we were close to the top of the league and flying, and I’d won the player of the month award just before it happened, as well, so I was on a real high.

“With the injury, it was a roller-coaster of a period because I went through periods where I thought wouldn’t play football again and it was a difficult situation.

"Although it didn’t happen as much as I’d have liked, to be able to get back on the pitch in the second half of this season and still be able to play football was amazing.”

Reflecting on his relationship with the supporters, he added on the club website: “The fans at Carlisle are amazing and they’ve always treated me so well.

"It’s always amazing when the fans take to you and I don’t think I read a bad word about me when I left, which was nice. I think as long as you give 100 per cent to the club and the team, the fans will always do that.

“When I first arrived, I knew I was coming into a difficult situation where the team weren’t doing too well, but it was an opportunity for me to help the club and also play football. During that time, I just gave my all and it worked out well in the end because we stayed up.

"It’s not always easy when you come into a team that’s struggling, but I feel like we’ve completely turned that around.”

Kennedy also played in United’s League Cup shoot-out loss to Liverpool in 2015 and their 2016 FA Cup defeat to Everton.