Eight unforgettable Carlisle United EFL Trophy memories...

It is the latest fixture in the competition which, for the last five years, has also involved Under-21 teams from Premier League clubs.

To whet the appetite, here is a look at some of the highlights from United’s involvement in the new, “rejuvenated” format which has been helping the England team and inspiring fans since 2016...

October 2016 – Carlisle United v Blackburn Rovers U21

The Blackburn Under-21 team included 36-year-old Wes Brown. The official attendance was 1,253, the 12th lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

Even one of the advertising boards didn't bother to turn up for the Blackburn game in 2016 (photo: Barbara Abbott)

September 2018 – Carlisle United v Morecambe

The official attendance was 1,213, the tenth lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

Scenes on the Warwick Road End as Checkatrade Trophy fever grips Brunton Park (photo: Stuart Walker)

November 2016 – Carlisle United v Mansfield Town

The official attendance was 1,126, the ninth lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

If Mansfield score a goal at Brunton Park but nobody is there to see it, does it really happen?

October 2017 – Carlisle United v Leicester City U21

The official attendance was 1,009, the seventh lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

The chance to watch Leicester's sort-of reserves drew this many people to Brunton Park

October 2019 – Carlisle United v Blackpool

The official attendance was 911, the sixth lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history (and also the name of a better boy band than Take That). Carlisle got some money for taking part.

Some people gather for a chat or to look towards Scotland. Carlisle United take on Blackpool in the other direction (photo: Stuart Walker)

November 2017 – Carlisle United v Fleetwood Town

The official attendance was 909, the fifth lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

The Paddock on a Trophy night: perfect for a quiet night out (photo: Stuart Walker)

September 2019 – Carlisle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21

The visiting XI’s squad numbers added up to 656 and the official attendance was 893, the third lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

Excitement overflows at the prospect of watching Wolves' Under-21s, whose team included players from Hong Kong, Denmark and Portugal, get some "men's football" for the long-term benefit of the England team (photo: Stuart Walker)

November 2018 – Carlisle United v Stoke City U21

Both teams got knocked out, then had to have a penalty shoot-out. The official attendance was 882, the second lowest attendance in Brunton Park’s history. Carlisle got some money for taking part.

You can directly trace England's Euro 2020 final shoot-out failure to these events at a strangely deserted Brunton Park in 2018 (photo: Stuart Walker)