Paul Simpson has confirmed how he plans to approach Carlisle United’s first pre-season friendly tonight.
The Blues head to Galabank to take on an Annan Athletic side managed by United legend Peter Murphy, who played alongside and under Simpson at Carlisle from 2003-6.
Simpson will involve his three summer signings and is considering roles for three trialists in the match north of the border.
And he says players will get half the game each as United get their pre-season programme under way (kick-off 7.45pm).
“It’s our first game, where they’ll all play 45 minutes and it’s up to them to show us what they’re capable of doing,” said Simpson.
United’s boss says the curtain-raiser at Galabank was arranged partly as a gesture following the signing of Owen Moxon from Annan last summer.
Tickets are now on sale for Friday nights game against @officialcufc
— Annan Athletic FC (@AnnanAthleticFC) July 5, 2023
We expect demand for tickets to be high so would ask any fans travelling to buy in advance of the game⬇️https://t.co/YYHlHBwNAK@CUFC_SLO should buy in Zone 4 with limited seating available in Zone 6 pic.twitter.com/cXfPc1KLWi
It will see the Blues back in action for the first time since May’s play-off final victory over Stockport County at Wembley.
They will take on a fellow promoted side in Annan, who are preparing for life in Scotland’s third tier for the first time.
“It’s a really good game for us,” added Simpson.
“It's a thank-you to Annan and to Peter Murphy for helping us with Owen Moxon to start with, and hopefully they’ll make some money out of that.
“But it will be a really good game for us as well to start with.
"And I would imagine it's a good one for the fans to get to as well.
"It's not too far up the road. They [Annan] will be flying after their promotion, and our fans are on cloud nine with what we’ve done.
“Our next game at Gretna [next Tuesday] is also a thank-you, for us having use of their pitch when we have to go.
“These are good games, and an extension of our training.
“The performance I would like to be good and the result I want to be good, but it's not the end of the world. It's about [the players] going and working for those 45 minutes and getting the right physical stuff out of it.”
The game will see United defender Max Kilsby return to Annan where he starred on loan last season.
Annan could also field midfielder Josh Dixon, who they signed following his release from the Blues in the summer.
Other former United men in the Annan ranks as well as manager Murphy include Steven Swinglehurst, Josh Galloway, Greg Fleming and Matty Douglas.
Annan have urged fans to buy tickets in advance for the game, as they expect demand to be high.
They are on sale HERE
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here