The determination that Carlisle United’s stay in the Conference should be a temporary one did not begin at the start of their solitary non-league season. It was very much there even before they stepped down to that level.
At a pivotal point of the first Paul Simpson turnaround, how else do you explain the fact that, on the final day of their relegation season, a big travelling support went to Doncaster while a good thousand or so also watched the game on a big screen at Brunton Park?
It was a regretful moment of United’s history: a farewell to the Football League. Many wished to be there or see it. But many also had had their belief restored by the way they had finished 2003/4.
Pathetically adrift come the winter, resurgent afterwards, Carlisle had taken their survival bid to the penultimate weekend. Cheltenham Town ended their unlikely hopes with a 1-1 draw, and to complete their fixtures entailed a last-afternoon trip to Belle Vue, home of champions Doncaster Rovers.
It was in theory, a painful glimpse at the sort of success that felt miles away for the Blues. It also unfolded into a show of support and spirit that meant it was not so distant after all.
“Relegation has happened and we just have to accept it,” was Simpson’s pre-match reality. “There is no point in dwelling what could have happened. We have to move on now.”
The player-manager, who had joined as a player the previous summer before stepping up, had to face headlines from his predecessor in the build-up to the Donny trip. Roddy Collins, sacked in August, was not having the idea that his management was the reason for Carlisle’s struggles.
“It’s an easy cop-out to pick Paddy Irishman as the man to blame,” Collins said. “My record speaks for itself.”
Collins was, though, otherwise off-stage when it came to United. Simpson had built a more credible team on the experience and talent of such as Kevin Gray, Tom Cowan and Andy Preece, and supporters knew it.
At Brunton Park, a 32 square metre screen faced the East Stand as fans filed in to watch the Doncaster game, a more upbeat atmosphere around than might be expected of a club in Carlisle’s position.
At Doncaster, another thousand roared the Blues towards the end of their relegation season as their players performed with decent last-day spirit.
Simpson, who remained a quality player himself, tried his luck early on along with Will McDonagh, while veteran Preece went close with a deflected attempt.
None of this counted for a great deal, but Carlisle were at least giving their fans a credible send-off. Doncaster, whose bench included a young Cumbrian goalkeeper in future Workington and Carlisle No1 Adam Collin, threatened through Mark Albrighton, while McDonagh narrowly cleared the bar after the break.
The title-winning traits of Dave Penney’s Doncaster were on show to an extent, Adriano Rigoglioso and Gregg Blundell chief among their danger men, and it was Blundell who provoked the game’s first key moment midway through the second half.
His shirt was tugged by Peter Murphy in the box but when ref David Pugh awarded a penalty, Blundell was superbly denied by United keeper Matty Glennon.
It was the Blues No1’s second spot-kick save in three games, after his dramatic effort at Mansfield had kept Carlisle alive two weeks earlier. But Doncaster would not be denied and, a few minutes later, a soft free-kick allowed Francis Tierney to set up Blundell for a glancing finish.
United tried in vain to sign off with an equalising goal. Kelvin Langmead failed to make the most of a late chance and sub Kevin Henderson was superbly denied by home keeper Andy Warrington, before the 1-0 defeat was over and Doncaster were left to their celebrations.
Simpson felt Carlisle had competed well with the champions, but was pointed in his view that “we need to improve on every aspect of our game next season. Now I can really start planning for us to try and get back up immediately.”
Simpson resolved to be part of that bid despite overtures from Blackpool towards the end of the season. He turned down the chance to speak to his former club and instead set his sights on accelerating Carlisle’s revival.
The post-season shakedown saw Simpson make decisions on certain players, releasing Richie Foran, Peter Duffield, Mark Boyd and Michael Reed, whilst offering Lee Andrews and Andy Preece the chance to stay.
United were then further overhauled that summer as owner John Courtenay sold the club to Fred Story. Simpson pieced together a squad for the Conference, and 12 months later – after a ludicrously dramatic play-off campaign – it was Carlisle with the celebrations. And a year on from that, they were League Two champions themselves.
Doncaster: Warrington, Mulligan, Foster, Albrighton, Ryan, Tierney (Ravenhill), McGrath (Maloney), Rigoglioso, McIndoe (Green), Brown, Blundell. Not used: Collin, Fortune-West.
United: Glennon, Shelley, Murphy, Andrews, Cowan, McGill (Arnison), McDonagh, Simpson (Jack), Rundle (Henderson), Langmead, Preece. Not used: Farrell, Raven.
Crowd: 9,720.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here