Paul Simpson has stressed that location does not need to be a major barrier to attracting the right players to Carlisle United.

The Blues boss says the club’s sales pitch ought to be strong enough to tempt potential signings this summer.

United’s location has often been cited in previous eras as a hindrance to luring players to Brunton Park.

But the manager, who is planning to make a number of key additions this summer, says the Cumbrians cannot use that as an excuse.

“It can be a problem, but if I go back to years and years ago, when Bob Stokoe was manager of Carlisle United, I’m sure it was even more difficult in those days,” Simpson said.

“In our country we’ve got a fantastic transport network, whether it be trains or motorways, and footballers have all got nice cars now.

“It’s not an issue. If they want to come, footballers will come to Carlisle United.

“What we’ve got to do is make sure they realise what we want to achieve as a football club, and we’ve also got to achieve something as a football club.

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“If we’re doing that I don’t think we’ll have any problems attracting players to come here.”

Simpson has said he is hoping to have as many signings in as possible before the start of pre-season training on June 22.

He is being assisted in the talent hunt by former United manager Greg Abbott, who recently returned to the club as head of recruitment.

Abbott has also spoken about the need for players to be clear about the realities of playing for Carlisle.

He said the right individuals will get their heads around any location issues and be fully committed to helping United succeed.

Speaking on the club website, Abbott said: “I know the parameters we’re working within and I know the good reasons why people want to come here, and reasons why some might not want to come.

“We all know about the long journeys, the geographics, but Carlisle isn’t going to move. It’s always going to be here, so what we have to do is make sure that players who come here know what that means.

“They need to know they’re going to have to travel and commit to staying over in the club houses, or in hotels, and if they aren’t prepared to do that then we can’t make that signing, it’s as simple as that.

“Everybody who is here has got to be in a good place within themselves, and if we get that we’ll get better performances in training and on the pitch.”

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