By Malcolm Nugent - CUOSC

Attendances in League Two were up at the weekend despite all matches being available to stream on iFollow.

That’s good news for the Blues who have a couple of big home games coming up at the start of December and will be hoping for bumper crowds.

The 3pm blackout on the televising of games has been suspended for the duration of the World Cup and the English Football League - who are considering offering all games for streaming from season 2024/25 - will be watching closely.

The Blues entertain Sutton on December 3 and then Barrow, in a Cumbrian ‘derby’ on December 10. With both games available to stream and the kick-offs brought forward to 1pm the Blues will be wary attendances could be affected.

However, it is encouraging to know fans in the lower leagues apparently will not be denied their Saturday ‘fix’ of live football.

In any case, the Blues should not have any worries judging by the fantastic away following at Salford last Saturday. Nearly 1,400 fans, a sell-out, travelled to Greater Manchester and were treated to a magnificent 4-1 win.

With United in the play-off places, the Sutton game and, in particular, the Barrow match should help provide a boost to this season’s average home gate of around 5,400.

Match-day hospitality in Foxys for 10 people is the prize CUOSC is putting up in a big Christmas raffle.

The £500 package is one of many prizes on offer in a raffle to raise funds for fan related projects.

It has been organised by Carlisle United Supporter Groups (CUSG) and will be drawn on Wednesday December 28. Tickets cost £1 each and can be bought at the Blues store and around Brunton Park on matchdays. Watch out for our representatives, and others, selling tickets.

The prizes have been donated by fans groups and local businesses and also include a deluxe food and drink hamper and a four night stay at Stanwix Park. You can find a list on our website at www.cuosc.org.uk

The date of next month’s CUOSC’s members meeting will be announced shortly. It will be held in person and online. In a social media poll last week we asked members what format they would prefer. Forty-eight percent said online and 40 per cent said in person.

It costs £10 for an adult to join CUOSC for a year and £5 for seniors and under-18s. You can join via our website using our new membership system.

CUOSC chairman Frank Beattie has resigned from the board for personal reasons. He has been a stalwart of the organisation and we want to say a big thank you to him for his huge contribution over the years.