Paul Simpson has called on fans to be on their best behaviour in this weekend’s big all-Cumbrian clash between Carlisle United and Barrow AFC.

The Blues head to Holker Street on Saturday backed by a sell-out travelling support for another big game in their promotion push.

United’s last trip to Barrow’s ground – in the Papa John’s Trophy last October – saw a home fan throw a firework onto the pitch.

Simpson said he hopes there is no repeat of any such unnecessary behaviour on either side – and simply wants to see an exhibition of all that is good about Cumbrian football.

“All I’d ask is that all the supporters turn up and behave like the proper, Cumbrian sensible people we are, and hopefully the game is only being talked about in footballing terms and not because of anything silly,” United’s manager said.

Carlisle will be backed by 640 travelling fans after tickets were snapped up in the space of three hours earlier this month.

The Bluebirds are also expecting one of their biggest home crowds of the season after announcing that ticket sales were approaching 4,000.

Barrow’s biggest home league attendance this campaign so far is 4,629.

Plenty is riding on the game from United’s point of view as the fifth-placed Blues seek a win that can boost their promotion or play-off hopes.

Barrow also need to win to have the chance of keeping their slim play-off chances alive.

Simpson added: “If we get anybody doing anything daft like we had in the Papa John’s, where a firework gets thrown on, the club gets punished, so any revenue that gets made [from a good crowd] gets taken straight away to the EFL, the FA in fines, and they don’t need that.

News and Star: A blue smoke device was thrown from the Stockport section during Tuesday's game at Brunton ParkA blue smoke device was thrown from the Stockport section during Tuesday's game at Brunton Park (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“If you look at Tuesday night with us and Stockport, it was a really good crowd, they brought a lot here and, in the main, there was really sensible behaviour, a really good example of how to behave at football games.

“There was one silly incident with the flare getting thrown on, we can do without that, and I just hope [this weekend] both sets of supporters come to the game, support their own teams, I know there’ll be banter between them but keep it sensible.

“Let’s not do anything stupid, let’s not have anybody coming onto the field of play which can be dangerous and expensive for the clubs. Let’s not have any flares thrown on which is very dangerous.

“Let’s just put on a really good show of what Cumbrian football is at the moment, and hopefully the game will reflect that as well.”