Paul Simpson says his memory of Carlisle United’s top-flight days offers further inspiration for the Blues to keep growing.

It is 50 years since United reached the First Division for the first time, with the 2024/25 campaign being the half-century anniversary of that historic campaign.

Blues manager Simpson says his earliest memories of watching Carlisle date back to that time, when he was a schoolboy watching from the terraces.

He says his abiding memory of that period is of the bigger and enthusiastic crowds United attracted for their clashes with the country’s top sides.

He adds that the whole experience of watching the Cumbrians on such occasions has parallels with how the matchday experience at Brunton Park has grown in modern times.

And it’s something he wants to see further improve, along with the club in general.

Recalling United’s First Division days, Simpson – who was eight years old at the time – said: “I was stood there in the kids' pen in the Warwick Road End, watching that.

“The season before [the 1973/74 Second Division promotion campaign] was probably when my dad started bringing me, and incredible memories again.

Our unrivalled coverage of United's historic promotion 50 years ago

“It was a fantastic achievement to get there, and a great start to the season, even though it all ended up falling flat on its face [with relegation].

“I've got fantastic memories of it, and I'm quite sure there'll be some sort of gesture [now] to commemorate that fantastic season.

“It's funny because I don't remember much about the football, I just remember that match experience.

“My dad used to park up near the General Hospital and we'd walk down and there was a little sweet shop on the corner where we used to get blackcurrant and liquorice out from the fridge.

“I remember walking down Warwick Road and police having to cordon off areas because the number of fans was incredible.

“There have been times over the last two years where I’ve come into the ground and thought, ‘Wow, it's like a proper football game again’, not just two or three people outside a ground.

“We also experienced it at Derby on the last day of the season where there were crowds everywhere.”

United’s average home attendance in 2023/24 was 8,000 – their highest since 1975/76, despite relegation in bottom place from League One.

They averaged 14,530 in the top-flight campaign, and 8,270 the previous term when Alan Ashman’s side made history.

“I think that's my memory as a kid because I was so small and just watching it,” added Simpson.

“I was probably more fascinated when the Scratching Pen [terrace] was over on the far side, and watching the banter between home and away fans.

“I remember that more than the football if I'm going to be honest.

“But it was just that whole match experience that I absolutely loved.

“I love that we've got that back at Carlisle United again now and I want it to get even better.”