The fixtures are out! And finally Carlisle United and their fans can start planning their Saturdays and Tuesdays between August and May.
The full rundown of games for the Blues' 2021/22 campaign was revealed this morning.
Here we take a look at some of the key games, trips and spells facing Chris Beech's side in United's latest League Two journey...
FIRST UP
For the first time since 1964, Carlisle United start their league season with a game against Colchester United.
The Essex club make the long journey to Cumbria for the curtain-raiser on August 7.
It will see Beech's Blues go up against Hayden Mullins' Essex outfit who survived the threat of relegation last season, finishing six points clear in 20th.
United won the corresponding fixture 3-2 last season thanks to goals from Alessandra, Mellish and Hayden.
Colchester have made a number of experienced signings so far this summer including Alan Judge, Luke Chambers, Frank Nouble, Cole Skuse and Freddie Sears.
Mullins was appointed permanent boss after taking temporary charge for the closing spell of last season.
If fans are looking for opening-day omens...well, 1964 is a good place to start.
A 1-0 win for United on August 22 that year, thanks to a Hughie McIlmoyle goal in Essex, kicked off what turned out to be a season of glory for the Cumbrians.
They went on to win the Division Three title in 1964/65 under Alan Ashman.
NEW BOYS
There are a few firsts on the calendar for United in 2021/22.
Their first-ever league meetings with Sutton United, for instance.
Carlisle don't have long to wait for their frist trip to Gander Green Lane to take on the National League champions.
That is their fifth away game of the season game is on Saturday, September 25.
Sutton visit Brunton Park for the first time, meanwhile, on Saturday, January 29.
But before all that - we're off to the Monkey Hangers!
Memories of some relatively recent August ding-dongs with Hartlepool will flood back when Carlisle venture to Victoria Park on Saturday, August 28.
The prospect of United's travelling fans in the away end at Pools' ground is an enticing one after all the recent Covid-hit times.
That will be United's first meeting with Hartlepool since 2017. Dave Challinor's side visit Cumbria on Saturday, January 8.
What about the relegated bunch coming down from League One?
Swindon are the first of those to face Carlisle, with John McGreal's men providing United's first away opponents on Saturday, August 15.
The Blues go to Joey Barton, Clint Hill and Nick Anderton’s Bristol Rovers on Saturday, October 9, then to Northampton on Saturday, October 30, before Rochdale visit Brunton Park on Boxing Day.
The return games are at home to Swindon on February 19, Northampton on March 12, Bristol Rovers on March 26 and away to Rochdale on February 5.
‘DERBIES’
Yes, yes. Is it a derby, isn’t it a derby. Whatever – the all-Cumbrian games against Barrow will still be among the most anticipated of the season, as well as the respective clubs’ shortst trips of 2021/22.
They will be the first such league meetings in front of supporters since 1964, given both of last season’s encounters were played behind closed doors.
Extra spice comes with the glut of former Carlisle players now in the Bluebirds’ ranks, including two of last season’s Blues in Paul Farman and Offrande Zanzala.
The first encounter comes at Brunton Park on Saturday, November 13. The return game at Holker Street falls on Saturday, March 19.
LONG HAULS AND SHORT HOPS
As ever, plenty of miles in the new season for the Cumbrians to cover – while it will be great to see their faithful travelling fans back on the road again.
The longest trek is to Crawley on September 11. Other marathons include Exeter on November 20, Colchester on February 12, Leyton Orient on February 26 and September’s mission to Sutton.
Among the more mile-heavy months, September’s Crawley-Sutton fun is followed by an October with trips to Bristol Rovers, Newport and Northampton. Colchester and Orient both fall in February - hopefully not so much fog at the former this time.
March, by contrast, will be gentler on the team bus’s tyres: just Oldham and Barrow to reach that month.
Other shortish trips, along with Barrow and Hartlepool, come on February 5 (Rochdale) and December 29 (Salford).
MIDWEEK MAGIC
It does seem strange, after last season, to look at a fixture list and not see it clogged up with Tuesday night games.
A more normal calendar with extra breathing space is back on the agenda this time.
There are just six scheduled Tuesday night fixtures for the Blues – three away, three home.
The away trips include one long one – Newport County on October 19 – along with journeys to Port Vale (August 17) and Mansfield (December 7).
Vale and Newport must also visit Cumbria on Tuesday nights in February and March, with Harrogate the other opponent on a Brunton Park midweek, on November 23.
Speaking of Harrogate: the place United visited three times last season because of the weather and power cuts is back on the calendar on April 23 for Carlisle’s third-last game of the campaign.
Hopefully one trip will be enough this time.
FESTIVE FUN
Well, let’s hope so. For the fifth consecutive season, United will be at home on Boxing Day.
This time around, the sprout fumes and turkey hangover will be experienced to the sight of Carlisle taking on newly-relegated Rochdale at Brunton Park.
That’s a reunion for Chris Beech with his former club.
The pay-off for being at home on Sunday, December 26 is two away trips over the rest of the festive week.
It’s off to Salford on Wednesday, December 29, and then 2022 starts by venturing to Scunthorpe on New Year’s Day.
The other holiday period, Easter, sees a Good Friday trip to Walsall and an Easter Monday home encounter with Mansfield.
REUNIONS
Plenty of these on the calendar, as ever.
Barrow we have already covered, with Farman, Zanzala, Devitt, Ellis, White, Brough and Jones facing the Blues in November and March.
October 23, meanwhile, will see former Blues boss Keith Curle plus players Hallam Hope and Nicky Adams back at Brunton Park with Oldham.
Ex-skipper Nick Anderton’s new club, Bristol Rovers, visit on March 26.
Among others, Gary Liddle returns with Hartlepool on January 8, Nathaniel Knight-Percival’s new club Tranmere visit on October 16, Andy Cook is back with Bradford on December 18.
In the dugout, meanwhile, Walsall’s new No2 Neil McDonald will be back at the club he managed in 2006/7 on November 27.
His boss, Matty Taylor, is one of a number of managerial changes in the division ahead of the new campaign.
Others who will benefit from the Paddock’s wisdom in 2021/22 include Mark Cooper (Barrow), John McGreal (Swindon), Kenny Jackett (Leyton Orient) and Rob Edwards (Forest Green).
THE FINALE
United’s trip to one of League Two’s biggest clubs and grounds comes right at the end: Bradford City at Valley Parade in the season’s final fixture.
The Bantams, who recently appointed ex-Morecambe boss Derek Adams, will be among the favourites to be in the promotion shake-up in 2021/22.
United have never faced Bradford in the final game of a season before.
Let’s hope that the sun is shining by then – and the trip to west Yorkshire is a happy one for the Blues’ followers after a season back on the road.
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