Alfie McCalmont says he was thinking of this moment – being a fully-fledged, permanent Carlisle United player – almost the moment the play-off final finished. Now he’s here, it’s time for new focus.
Specifically, on bringing more to the table. Nobody would deny that McCalmont was an influential player in the Blues’ promotion push last spring but the midfielder believes he can offer even more in League One.
“This season I want my numbers to be a lot higher,” he says. “I want a lot more goals and assists.
“I think coming halfway in a season, as I did last year, is a bit tricky…but now with a full pre-season under my belt, it’s easier knowing all the lads, I feel this season I really need to kick on.
“I want to be playing week in, week out and getting those numbers really high.”
The 23-year-old has the platform to do just that at Brunton Park. His decision to join Carlisle this summer brought an end to 16 years at Leeds United and, while McCalmont will always value his long period at Elland Road, it is clear it was time to break out.
His part in Carlisle’s rise from League Two, which culminated in that play-off final victory over Stockport County, cemented the idea. “After the day at Wembley, even as I was leaving the stadium it was always in my mind that I wanted to be back,” he says.
“It was a short summer, but it was good to get some good time with my family and get away, but I was speaking to my agent all through the summer getting this sorted, because this was the priority.
“It’s been back and forth, back and forth, then we came to an agreement with Leeds, got that all sorted, and for me it was just about getting up here and getting it all signed.”
That was completed last week and McCalmont can now look forward to building on last season’s progress, when he was a busy, bustling and creative presence in their high-flying team.
“For myself and my career, to be playing games is the most important thing. Coming here in January, and playing as much as I did and being a regular starter, was brilliant for me.
“It’s not nice leaving a club you’ve been at since you were growing up, but this is my home now and I felt that straight away when I signed in January. So this was an easy decision for me.”
An easy decision for his family, too. “I remember speaking to my mum and dad after the final at Wembley, we were saying how amazing it’s been since signing, playing and winning and being part of a successful team. Plus my mum and dad live in Thirsk, and they love coming to a lot to the games, so for them as well it was a good day for me to sign.”
McCalmont said there were “a few” other options to consider but stresses that Paul Simpson, United’s manager, was speaking to his agent a couple of days after the play-off final. Returning to Cumbria was the main focus.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often. You can’t wait for something else to come. When you’ve got an offer on the table that you’re happy with and feel comfortable with – if I’m comfortable somewhere and enjoying it I feel I’m playing better – it’s an easy decision,” he says.
A final thought of Wembley, the launchpad for where United and McCalmont are now, and Carlisle’s road there. Has it all sunk in by now?
“Even the day we beat Bradford [in the semi-final second leg] and all the fans were on the pitch, that doesn’t happen very much in your career,” he says. “You just have to let those moments sink in.
“Wembley was probably the best day of my career. I got away straight afterwards, went to Portugal with my family and friends, we were eating dinner and just going over the day, speaking about it, thinking how good it was from start to finish.
“I remember going back home on the train the day after Wembley, and we were speaking about next season and how I’d love to come back, and it all turned out well.”
McCalmont had to be patient initially upon joining United in January, but eventually made his mark. “I didn’t start for the first five games. But I had nothing to say – the team was wining so I was happy. After the Mansfield game [a 4-0 home defeat in February] I got my chance.
“The gaffer has been brilliant. He’s one of the best gaffers I’ve worked under. On the training pitch and matchdays he’s always doing everything to get the best out of the team and individually as well.
“He’s someone you can approach and have a conversation with, that’s a big thing for me and a lot of the lads – you’re able to talk to him and he’ll help with any problems you have. He was another decision I wanted to come back. I love playing under him.”
McCalmont is among the players at United with League One experience, thanks to a loan spell at Morecambe a couple of campaigns ago. He is informed when he says Carlisle can approach it with confidence and without fear.
“We’ve just got to go with the same mentality as last season,” he says. “Itt’s just a league above. There’s a lot of beatable teams in the league, I feel, and nothing for us to be scared of.
“We need a few more players just to give us a bit more quality, but we’ve got the base of last season which is going to help.”
McCalmont does not believe the third tier represents “too much of a step up” and also reckons Carlisle can handle the level’s bigger stages. “You’re playing against bigger teams and at bigger stadiums, Derby, Barnsley…but that’s nothing for us to fear.
“When I was there with Morecambe…it’s just a stadium, just a club. We’ve all just got to go in and not fear anything, like we did last season. I feel if we have that same mentality going into this season we can go far. I feel confident going into it.”
United were outsiders for promotion last season and are, according to the bookmakers, among the longest-odds for 2023/24. Again – McCalmont doesn’t mind that.
“We’ll definitely surprise people because we know we’ve got the quality in the team. That’s why I wanted to come back,” he says. “I wouldn’t have wanted to come back if I thought we were going to struggle.
“I know we’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we will cause a few shocks, especially against the big teams.”
McCalmont is also hoping to progress on a further front in 2023/24. He has made a host of Northern Ireland caps through the age groups and possesses four senior caps. These are further “numbers” he wants to increase.
“After the final at Wembley, on the Tuesday I met up with the Northern Ireland seniors for a week’s camp at St George’s Park,” he says. “I was speaking to the gaffer there [Michael O’Neill], and he said he wants me to push on and make sure I’m playing at a higher level, that’s League One or Scottish Premiership, even Championship.
“Getting promoted with Carlisle, that was perfect. I’ll be playing in League One, and if I play well I’ll be straight back into his books. Hopefully in September, when the next set of games come, if I’m playing well I’ll get a call-up.
“It’s another big thing in my career that I want to do. I’ve done it a long time and I don’t want to fall away from that. I want to keep playing international football, because it’s a good thing to have under your belt and on your CV. Being here is a good platform for me to get back there.”
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