Paul Simpson says simply staying up is nowhere near enough for Carlisle United.

The Blues are preparing for their last game of a season mostly spent fighting against the League Two drop.

Simpson’s arrival in February saw United pull clear of danger – but the manager says their future aspirations have to be much bigger.

He wants to oversee a rebuild of the Blues which can see them compete at the right end of the table again.

And the Cumbrian, who recently signed a three-year deal to remain in charge, says that harnessing the momentum generated by supporters during this run-in is vital for the longer term.

Ahead of a bumper away support at Bradford City on Saturday’s final afternoon of 2021/22, Simpson said: “We’ve got to make sure we build.

“We all know what our supporters can do and the noise they can make, and what we have to do is make sure we keep it.

“We’ve got to keep riding some momentum, and if that’s the players or me who create it, I don’t really mind what that is, we have to keep it going.

“The more people we get through the turnstiles, the better it is and it’ll make us a more successful football club.

“Next season, I don’t want to think staying in the league is a success.

“It has been this time because of the position we were in, but staying in the division isn’t what we’re in football for.

“I want to be competing in the top half of the table, and if we can get a group of players together who all want to do the same, that’s the first thing.

“If we then have a group of staff off the pitch in the offices who are pulling in the same direction then that will help.

“If we add the help of the supporters and local businesses that will help us as well.”

United’s last game of the campaign comes at Valley Parade this weekend.

It will see the Cumbrians finish anywhere between 14th and 20th in League Two.

READ MORE: Carlisle United's Paul Simpson on Brunton Park: 'We have to make this a really tough place to come'