Can Carlisle United top big crowds v Leeds United, MK Dons and more?

A £10 ticket offer is part of the Blues’ campaign to attract a 10,000+ attendance for the Good Friday game.

If United break the five-figure barrier, it will put them in line to emulate some of their biggest home league crowds in recent times.

Here are some of the landmarks in their sights…

LEAGUE

9,351 (v Barrow, January 31, 2023)

A packed Paddock watches Carlisle thrash Barrow (Image: Ben Holmes)

This season’s biggest home crowd ought to be surpassed on Good Friday. The Blues’ Tuesday night clash with fellow Cumbrians Barrow proved a memorable one, with 9,351 – including 965 away fans – watched Simmo’s side enjoy a 5-1 victory amid a buoyant midweek atmosphere.

9,470 (v Millwall, May 2, 2009)

Greg Abbott and Dennis Booth on the touchline as a big crowd watches United survive against Millwall (Image: Stuart Walker)

United’s desperate attempt to hold onto their League One status brought a bigger than normal crowd to Brunton Park on the final day of the season. Blues fans were rewarded with two stunning goals from Graham Kavanagh and Paul Thirlwell as Greg Abbott’s side stayed up at the very last.

9,708 (v Exeter City, May 14, 2017)

Shaun Miller celebrates making it 3-3 in front of 9,708 fans in the play-off game (Image: PA)

The League Two play-offs under Keith Curle saw United fall narrowly below the 10,000 mark, as the Blues and Exeter played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the semi-final first leg. John O’Sullivan and Shaun Miller dragged the Blues back from 1-3 to 3-3, and we don’t need to mention the second leg…

10,459 (v MK Dons, February 16, 2019)

Jason Kennedy on the ball in front of the 10,000 crowd for MK Dons' visit

This was one of the most recent examples of a ticket promotion delivering a big crowd – United branded their initiative #8kforMK as they tried to boost things amid what, at the time, remained a hopeful promotion push. A colourful scheme took things well past the 8,000 target, but the Blues lost 3-2 amid their decline to mid-table under Steven Pressley.

12,148 (v Leeds United, September 20, 2008)

United were beaten by Leeds in front of 12,148 in September 2008 (Image: Jonathan Becker)

One of a number of big-crowd meetings with the men from Elland Road in this era, Carlisle’s ground was busy when the Yorkshire side visited early in the 2008/9 season, just a few months after their dramatic play-off duel. Leeds got the better of United again on this occasion, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Luciano Becchio and Jermaine Beckford.

12,873 (v Leeds United, May 15, 2008)

John Ward and his squad on the main stand balcony after play-off heartbreak against Leeds (Image: PA)

A night of pure agony for the Blues, as 12,873 turned up for the League One play-off second-leg, with John Ward's Carlisle 2-1 up at the midway point in the tie. Cue Jonny Howson's double, and a world of pain for the Cumbrians.

16,668 (v Leeds United, November 3, 2007)

Joe Garner leaps into action as Carlisle prepare for a memorable win over Leeds at a sell-out Brunton Park (Image: News & Star)

The best league crowd for many a year at Brunton Park, both in number and volume. The visit of unbeaten Leeds in the autumn of 2007 brought about a Blues performance and atmosphere for the ages, as a sell-out crowd saluted goals from Simon Hackney, Joe Garner and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson in a magnificent 3-1 comeback win.

AND IN THE CUPS…

9,430 (v Leeds United, EFL Trophy, February 9, 2010)

12,625 (v Tottenham Hotspur, League Cup, September 26, 2012)

17,101 (v Everton, FA Cup, January 31, 2016)