Paul Huntington on his Carlisle United dream - and his future

The city-born defender says he can feel “momentum” building on and off the pitch at Brunton Park.

And the experienced centre-half says the thought of being involved in successes like he witnessed as a fan in the 1990s is a driving ambition.

“The end goal is what I’m picturing,” Huntington said.

“I’ve seen those players on the gantry [celebrating], and I’ve been the kid trying to climb up there.

“To myself, I have envisioned it. Maybe people will laugh at that. But it’s something to drive you on.

“That’s what we’re striving for – [to] bring those good times back. It was electric back then. I know that team was winning the title, but I can feel the momentum building, so we've got to continue on that.”

Huntington, midway through his first season with his home-city club, has so far played an important part in United’s rise to fourth in League Two.

They have done backed by a positive increase in support.

“The fans have been brilliant all season,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the club shop getting shirts and footballs for people which is good to see.

“It was like that when I was a kid and coming down to watch David Reeves and Dean Walling, people like that.

“If we can get the younger generation in I think it’s really good for the club. We have a lot of young ones in the Warwick Road End at home but I’ve noticed at away games there’s definitely more younger ones going too, which is really good.”

Huntington, at 35, may be in the autumn of his career but Paul Simpson has spoken openly about keeping the former Preston North End man on board for much longer.

Soon after signing the defender, Simpson said he was hopeful about “three years” of Huntington in United’s defence.

The man himself confirms that he is open to that sort of longevity.

“I’m hopeful of [that],” he said. “We’ll see with the games and things like that this season.

Paul Simpson, left, wants Huntington to stay at Carlisle for three years - and the defender, right, says he is open to the possibility (Image: Richard Parkes)

“For next year, and then after that, year – I would love to stay here, and hopefully the manager is here longer than his contract too, because I feel as though long-term, now or next year, we will get to where we want to be.

“The club’s in good hands, and we just need to keep building that togetherness with the fans, and everyone around the place.

“I feel as though there’s a lot of really good people in the club, local people that maybe some he’s brought back, plus a lot who were already here. I feel that goes a long way – they’re on the same page and really want you to do well.

“That all helps. Whereas maybe at some other clubs you wouldn’t have that. It’s a really tight-knit group.

“I’d love to finish here and play as long as I can. It did cross my mind in the summer whether I wanted to, but that feeling of winning, being part of something and achieving something – that’s why you’re in it. Not just being out there ticking off the games. Winning.

“I’d love to keep myself right as long as I can. And as long as I’m able, continue.”

Huntington has made 22 appearances so far, having experienced little first-team football in the final season of his long spell with Preston.

A temporary break from action – United do not have a game this weekend – has allowed the defender to reflect on life at the Blues so far, and under Simpson.

“Before [saying what he’s like] as a manager, I would say he’s a real genuine guy, says it as it is,” said Huntington on the fellow Cumbrian who leads the Blues.

“He leaves me to it, really. I wouldn’t say I’m a massive character in the changing room, but other managers have said I kind of lead by example, by how I go about it, and he lets me get on with that.

“The main thing for me has been the managing part of being an older player – when to train, when to take a day off, when to do something different, and he understands that because he’s had a top career, been at some very good clubs, and has a lot of experience as a manager now.

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“For me he’s the manager I’m desperate to do well for, and the lads feel that. He’s obviously loved here, and you always want your managers to like you, who value you, and I feel that.

“I try and reward that with going out there and giving everything I’d got on a Saturday or Tuesday.”

Huntington is enjoying representing the club of his home city at this point in his career – coupled with the challenge of achieving something.

“It is strange, it’s not like I’m buzzing after a game, it’s more of a feeling of satisfaction when we’ve won,” he added.

“We’ve got to continue on that and not pat ourselves on the back at where we are, but look for the next.

“The games come thick and fast. We’ve got to react to the last game now [the 2-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers], have a good week’s training next week and react at home.

“They [Newport, United’s next opponents] have got a long journey, they won’t relish that, so we have to make sure we’re ready for the next game, and three in a week.

“They’re big games. That satisfaction when we win…it’s a nice feeling for those Saturday nights. More of them, please.”

Read more from Paul Huntington in tomorrow's News & Star