Carlisle Utd hand top youth prospect Liam McCarron his first professional deal

The Blues have moved to secure the Appleby teenager's future at Brunton Park on an 18-month contract with the option of a further year.

It is a reward for second-year youth team player McCarron's rapid progress at United.

It also sees the Blues tie down one of their best young prospects at a time he has, the News & Star understands, been monitored by other clubs, including one from the Championship.

McCarron, who has made two sub appearances for John Sheridan's side this season and could be in the squad to face Stevenage today (Brunton Park, 3pm), said the deal was a "dream come true" so soon into his young career.

"It has come early but it's a great feeling," the winger said.

"It was a big shock when I got told. I didn't know what to think - my head was all over the place and still is now, but I'm letting it sink in and I'll push on from here.

"My family are over the moon and I don't think it's sunk in for them as well."

McCarron has been on United's books since under-14 level and the pacy prospect has been quick to impress Sheridan this season.

His new deal also highlights the way the club want to focus on developing home-grown players, according to director of football David Holdsworth and academy manager Darren Edmondson.

Holdsworth said: "Liam has shown his potential and John Sheridan has given the young man the opportunity to join our squad.

"We are trying to create a pathway for the youngsters of Cumbria and our young players going forward.

"It is going to be part of our DNA and something we have to look for in the future."

Edmondson added: "I hope this is a sign of the direction the club's trying to go in.

"The connection between the academy and the first team, if the players are good enough, is getting closer under the new regime.

"It's great for Liam and it's also a bonus for the other youth players.

"Last year it was tough for the second-years, seeing the other lads not really training with the first team. Now the place has changed and if you're doing the right things then you've got a chance to train with them, and then it's up to you.

"Liam has got no ego, no airs and graces, he's just a good lad who wants to do well.

"His pride will be immense and his family's pride is great and I'm sure his [full] debut will happen at some point, because he's got ability.

"This has come early but it's testament to how he's worked over the last few months."

Edmondson described McCarron as a "free spirit" with the ability to go past players at will.

He added: "That's something we tried not to coach out of him. We had to coach the other side - when the team give it away he has to take up certain defensive positions to help the team.

"In the last six months that penny's dropped a lot more and he's become a more accomplished team player.

"At 15 he was blessed with loads of pace, which is why we took a chance on him, but he was a young boy who would get very frustrated very quickly. But as he's matured and come into full-time football, that's been the biggest change in him.

"If he makes a mistake now, his work rate is unbelievable. He's embraced that challenge and works so much harder now than when he first came as a first-year YT.

"Once you learn about that emotional side, you've got a footballer who can go into the first team now, I think, and do himself justice."

McCarron was born in Preston but moved to Appleby a few years later. He was part of Irwin Wallace's "nappy squad" at Castletown aged four - following in the footsteps of Danny Grainger and Adam Collin - before being snapped up by United nearly 10 years later.

He made his first senior outing in the Checkatrade Trophy against Morecambe last month, later making his league debut also as a sub against Tranmere.

McCarron added: "It's a great experience to get your debut.

"I was both excited and nervous and all sorts of things went through my head - don't mess up, just do things right - but I just wanted to get my first touches right and make a good impression, hoping the fans backed me, which they did.

"Being with the first-team is a whole different level and different tempo. It's good learning with the lads who have been here a long time, who teach you a lot of things you need to learn in the game.

"The manager has just told me to go and do what I've been doing at youth level. Everyone has been right behind me.

"You always have to believe in yourself. It's a big part of where I am now and how I've got here.

"Hopefully I can keep pushing on and start in the first team. My aim is to be one of the main players that's playing week-in, week-out.

"I know the hard work starts now."

McCarron will appear on the pitch before kick-off this afternoon to sign his new deal with his family, who have been invited to the game as the club's guests.