Paul Simpson has shot down an “unbelievably ridiculous” conspiracy theory regarding Carlisle United’s promotion ambitions.

The manager says he has heard some people suggesting the Blues’ form is dipping because they don’t want to go up.

It is an accusation that occasionally rears its head around United – and Simpson is having none of it.

“I keep hearing this unbelievably ridiculous thing people keep coming out with that the club don’t want to get promoted,” Simpson told the News & Star today.

“Honestly – I have been in football since 1982 and I have no idea where people get this idea from.

“Why would they think we wouldn’t want to be successful? Why do they think we wouldn’t want to go up to the next level, where there’s a bigger difference in money from TV and the EFL, more opportunity to get bigger crowds, more opportunity as footballers to play against better teams in front of bigger crowds?

“Who in their right minds would think that’s not what we all want?

“Directors certainly want it, the chief executive wants it, I do, the rest of the staff do, players do.

“We are doing everything we possibly can to try and achieve something.

“There’s no divine right to it – bigger clubs than us have got no divine right to be successful in their own leagues.

“We’ve just got to give it everything we’ve got and enjoy giving it everything we’ve got. If we do that hopefully we’ve got enough to go up. If we haven’t, we have to take it on the chin and make sure we keep building the club to be better.”

United are fourth and two points outside the League Two automatic promotion places with seven games to go.

They host Tranmere Rovers in front of a bumper five-figure crowd on Good Friday when they will be seeking a first win and goal in five games.

Simpson, in his pre-match press conference, emphasised that it has been an excellent season overall at a time United are striving to return to form.

He said he has also repeated that message to his players.

“From the start of week we did that,” he said. “I think the players know it, realise it. They don’t want this opportunity to go.

“We have to be really careful we don’t start getting silly and all negative about it. We have to remember this has been a really good season up to this point.

“We’re sat fourth in the table. I looked through the league tables this week, and there was Manchester United sat in fourth. Although they’ve got aspirations of going higher, this is a good season for them compared to what they’ve done recently.

“In the Championship there was Luton in fourth, having a brilliant season according to everybody, and Barnsley in League One having a brilliant season.

“So why can we not be considered to be having a really good season?

“That’s how I see it. We’re not where I expected us to be, certainly in February when I came back last year, and at the start of this season.

“Let’s enjoy it, embrace this opportunity we’ve got and do everything we can to keep it or make it even better.”