Carlisle United
Odds: 25/1
Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 1 (League Two, Promoted), 2004/05 - 3 (Conference, Promoted), 2003/04 - 23 (League Two, Relegated), 2002/03 - 22 (League Two), 2001/02 - 17 (League Two).
2005/06 Cup Progress
Fa Cup First Round vs Cheltenham Town (a) - lost 1-0.
Carling Cup First Round vs Burnley (a) - lost 2-1.
Football League Trophy Final (n) vs Swansea City - lost 2-1.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Karl Hawley (striker) - 26 goals.
Players In
David Raven (Liverpool - Free), Kevin Gall (Yeovil Town - Free), Paul Murray (Beira Mar - Free), Luke Joyce (Wigan Athletic - Free).
Players Out
Brendan McGill (Gretna - Free), Lee Andrews (Torquay United - Free).
Carlisle United experienced a powerful 12 months which saw them storm League Two following their promotion from the discussion and a Football League Trophy final appearance which saw them narrowly lose out to League One high flyers Swansea City.
Carlisle won League Two by three points last season but were conveniently in the self-operating promotion places for much of the campaign. Either they are strong sufficient to compete in League One remains to be seen but they will have to do it without manager Paul Simpson, who left Brunton Park to take over at Preston.
The Cumbrians appointed Neil McDonald as their new manager and he was an assistant to Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace last season but left his post when Dowie departed for Charlton Athletic. McDonald began his coaching work at Preston North End before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2000.
McDonald made Liverpool defender David Raven his first signing for the club and the player who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Tranmere Rovers signed a two year contract. One qoute McDonald may face is hanging on to striker Michael Bridges who has kick started his work at Brunton Park. Bridges scored scored 15 goals for Carlisle last season after arriving at the club last November and the Cumbrians rejected a club description £250,000 bid from League Two outfit Darlington for the player this summer.
The offer came after Darlington manager David Hodgson received the financial backing of chairman George Houghton. The 27 year old Bridges began his work at Sunderland, before injury blighted spells at Leeds United, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland again and ultimately Bristol City.
Verdict
Carlisle have performed admirably while the last two seasons but may find the step up to League One tough. If the club can hold onto Michael Bridges and last season's top goal scorer Karl Hawley they could cause a few shocks otherwise they could have a relegation battle on their hands.
League One Season Preview 2006/07 - Carlisle UnitedHTC Sensation Unlocked Celtic Goals Clip