Jack Iredale has spoken of his gratitude to Carlisle United for giving him his big chance in English football.
The Bolton Wanderers defender, who faces his former club tomorrow, says he enjoyed his time in Cumbria despite the “weird” Covid-hit time he was there.
Iredale joined Carlisle from Greenock Morton in the summer of 2019 under Steven Pressley’s tenure.
He went on to make 30 appearances, scoring twice, under Pressley and his successor Chris Beech before the 2019/20 campaign was cut short because of the pandemic.
Iredale was then released by the Blues but says he has no hard feelings towards United.
“I was there during the Covid season and it was my first season in English football, so I can only ever thank them for giving me that opportunity,” the Australian defender said.
“Obviously it got cut short, there isn’t much anyone could do about it, but I really enjoyed my time there and it just ended in a really weird way like it did for everyone else.
“I don’t think there are too many familiar faces for me there [now], maybe one or two, but it will be business as usual for us, and hopefully three points to take us into the international break.”
Iredale is one of three ex-Blues in the Bolton ranks along with Kyle Dempsey and Gethin Jones, though the latter is suspended this weekend.
The left-sided player is embarking on his second season with the Trotters, who he joined after a spell with Cambridge United.
He has helped Bolton establish themselves among the early 2023/24 frontrunners, with Ian Evatt’s side sitting third after ten games.
Iredale scored his second goal of the season in their 3-2 win over Stevenage on Tuesday and, while Carlisle will be strongly backed by travelling fans tomorrow, the Bolton man hopes his own club’s supporters will play their part.
“They [Carlisle] are coming to our stadium, our house, and I am assuming there will be another big crowd who will be backing us,” Iredale told the Bolton News.
“We have needed it and we’ll do everything we can to get the points for them again.
“I think [against Stevenage] they were right there with us. Every time we conceded you could hear them backing us, they know what we are trying to do and they know it has got results for us as well.
“I feel like we are replaying that faith at the moment by digging out results, so hopefully we can get another one on Saturday.”
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