Paul Simpson admitted he was almost lost for words that fans created a special flag in his honour.

The banner, featuring a likeness of the Carlisle United manager and the words ‘Simmo Is Our King’, was displayed at Brunton Park on Saturday.

It is also set to be held aloft by travelling fans in the away section at Bradford City on the final day of the season this weekend.

It was created after a crowdfunding campaign started by Blues supporter Chris Cope.

It smashed its £500 target in less than a day – with a surplus £170 being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

That came after Chris consulted the club to invite Simpson – who recovered from kidney cancer last year – to nominate a charity.

United’s manager said he saw the flag in the Pioneer Stand on Saturday. It features an image of Simmo lifting the League Two title trophy in 2006.

Chris said he wanted it to be a thank-you to the Cumbrian boss for his success in his first era as well as saving United this campaign.

Simpson said: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic. I think it’s probably the first time I’ve had a flag made about me.

“But it’s brilliant.

“I don’t know what the right words to use are. I’m incredibly proud that somebody has gone out of their way to do that.”

The manager said he was also delighted that a cancer charity had benefited from some of the money fans had chipped in.

“Everybody who made a donation, I can only thank them because the cancer charity that I chose is also getting a donation, which is brilliant,” he said.

“Without the work they do in the cancer hospitals, who knows what state I’d be in at this moment in time.”

READ MORE: Revealed: the huge flag that will welcome the second Paul Simpson era at Carlisle United