While they wait for results to pick up, Carlisle United can at least travel in style.
The Blues’ new-look team coach certainly caught the eye on its maiden voyage to Bradford City at the weekend.
United’s bus has been given an eyecatching makeover by a Cumbrian firm.
Image Signmakers, from Scotby, treated the coach to a large blue-and-white wrap design featuring the Blues’ logo, a backdrop of fans and the words CARLISLE UNITED in large letters.
Some supporters posed for photos next to the bus with its striking design after it arrived at Valley Parade.
👋 Checking in at Valley Parade! pic.twitter.com/x1I6heVPLl
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) September 7, 2024
It further gives the Blues a modern new image as they head up and down the country to their league and cup games in their coach provided by Orion Travel.
Those behind the design say they are delighted to have played their part.
Will MacGillivray, managing director of Image Signmakers, told the News & Star: “We’ve done a number of jobs for Carlisle United already, such as minibuses, vans and other work at the ground, such as the player banners and areas like Foxy’s Restaurant and the new media area.
“The club contacted us about coming up with a design for the coach, we discussed a few options and came up with the one you can now see.
“One of our team, Ross MacFadzean, is a big Carlisle United fan and was buzzing to get his teeth into designing it.
“Vehicles are our speciality but in terms of the scale of the job, this is the biggest one we’ve ever wrapped.”
Will, Ross and Andy Connelly worked on the design, which involved more than 90m of vinyl, and are delighted with the outcome.
“The results speak for themselves,” Will added. “We’re over the moon with it.
“We couldn’t wait to get it on social media, and when the club shared it too we were pleased that 99 per cent of the feedback was positive.
“Being able to work on it was fantastic. To do something on that scale for the team was amazing.
“It gives such a strong impression when the team is arriving in a coach that looks like that. I don’t imagine you’ll see many clubs in Leagues Two or One with that type of job on their transport.
“It’s more like something you’d see with Premier League clubs or big European teams.
“For Carlisle United to have that is really cool and hopefully there are some positive results around the corner too."
Will added that the vinyl was printed on an eco-friendly latex printer, with a water-based ink and no solvents.
United will next take to the road in their new-look coach when they head to Swindon Town for their away game on the weekend of September 21.
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