Kitman Colin Nixon’s “great service” to Carlisle United was saluted after his final game with the club.

The popular and long-serving member of United’s backroom staff stepped down after the Blues’ 3-1 defeat to Reading.

A new kitman is set to start at the club tomorrow as the Blues reorganised the kit management department after Nixon’s departure.

Manager Paul Simpson was quick to pay tribute to the departing kitman after Saturday’s game.

“He’s done fantastic, as a servant of the football club,” Simpson said.

“He’s been here 15 years, and he's chosen to retire now.

“We've been having conversations about it, and he’s given great service to the club.

“He knows he's always going to be welcome here. No doubt he’ll still be popping down for a coffee with us.

News and Star: Colin Nixon has been United's kitman since 2009Colin Nixon has been United's kitman since 2009 (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“And I'm sure he'll continue to support the club. But he's been a real good bloke for the football club.”

Nixon started as United’s kitman in 2009 and has long been known as one of the friendliest faces at Brunton Park. He is the brother of director and former co-owner John Nixon.

Simpson went on to explain the plans for replacing Nixon.

“We’ve got a new guy starting on Monday, and we’re sort of rearranging the way it works in the kit department,” said Simpson.

“So Emma [MacLagan], who works in the laundry, will oversee, and we've got a guy called Brian coming in. He starts on Monday.

“He'll help with all the day to day stuff. And then Deano [Dean Scholey], who's been working on a match day – him and Brian will do the match days together.

“So it's going to be a team of three who are going to look after it all. Brian's role will be during the week to make sure all of the kit and equipment is sorted with Emma, and then on match day Deano and Brian will lead it.

“Brian's been coming in over the last few months, so he's in a position where he can start on Monday and we’ll crack on from there.”