Fans urged to give new Carlisle United owners big welcome

The visit of Charlton Athletic (Brunton Park, 3pm) is United’s first game under their new American owners.

A bumper crowd is expected to herald the start of an exciting new era at Carlisle.

And manager Simpson hopes everyone – on and off the field – will play their part in making it a memorable occasion.

“Wow – it’s a fantastic day to look forward to,” said Simpson.

“However long ago it was when Tom [Piatak snr] put that post out to say something special could happen at the Charlton game…I don’t know if he had a crystal ball but fair play to him, he got it right.

LISTEN: Simmo on Piataks takeover, squad news and Charlton game

“It’s a good one. I hope [people] come and give them a real good Cumbrian welcome.

'Own The North', the slogan first spoken by the Piataks, is appearing on new displays around Brunton Park (Image: News & Star)

“I hope the players perform and give them a proper Carlisle United performance – and we get a result that tops the day off.”

While much of the attention will be on United’s new owners today – Tom snr, Patty, Tom II, Alice, Jenna and Nick are all attending the game – Simpson is keen for third-bottom Carlisle to do things right on the grass.

That involves a tough challenge against Michael Appleton’s Addicks, who are unbeaten in five games in all competitions and sit 11th in the table – although they have only won one of seven away league games.

Sam Lavelle faces his former club this afternoon (Image: PA)

The game sees League One’s respective players of the month in opposition – United’s Jordan Gibson won the PFA fans’ vote for October, with Charlton’s 15-goal forward Alfie May taking the official SkyBet award.

It also sees United captain Sam Lavelle face his former club for the first time since his summer move.

“I haven’t asked [Sam for any pointers] so far because I think we’ve got a general idea of what they are. Sam left when Dean Holden was manager, and it’s different now,” said Simpson, who has Owen Moxon and Sean Maguire back available after injury and illness but Joe Garner is suspended along with Alfie McCalmont - while new signing Josh Emmanuel is set to be in the squad.

“I think they’ve got some good players – they’re a good side with good experience.

“I was disappointed for Dean that he lost his job earlier in the season, he’s a friend of mine and I thought it was a real good fit there.

“But Michael Appleton’s gone in and he’s doing a fine job so far. They’re on a decent run of form at the moment, they had a huge result in the FA Cup [a 6-1 replay win against Cray Valley Paper Mills], a good win during the week in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy [3-0 against Sutton United], and we know it’s going to be a tough one.

“But this is what we’re in League One for, because these are brilliant games for us to look forward to.”

Simpson said the buzz of today’s occasion will be impossible to ignore, but he expects his players to be fully focused on the job at hand.

“We can’t forget about the razzmatazz, we’re humans, but our job is to get a result and if we do that we’ll remember it for the right reasons,” he added.

“I don’t want anybody to have any fear of it. I’m sure there will be – there’ll be tension and nervousness – but once they’re on the grass and once the whistle goes they all know what’s expected.”