Carlisle United have announced the appointment of Jake Simpson to the first-team backroom staff as Head of Performance.

The son of the current Blues manager has been with Stockport County since February 2022 in a similar role, having previously worked with Hatters’ boss Dave Challinor at Hartlepool and Fylde.

Speaking about the family reunion on Carlisle United's website, Paul Simpson said: “Jake is coming in to oversee the running of the performance department.

“We’re expanding the department, and I think people are aware that our current strength and conditioning coach Jamie Roper is moving on.

"We’ve advertised his position recently because Jamie will be leaving us shortly.

"That means we will also be appointing a new S&C coach, and that will be a shared role with Jake also looking after some of the requirements from within that area.

“I’m delighted that we’ve got him in.

 “He has all of the relevant and current qualifications, with the sports rehab knowledge meaning that he can have an input with Chris Brunskill on the medical side as well as specialising in the strength side of it.

"I’m looking forward to getting him in and getting him working, and I know he’s thinking the same way.

"It’s been a long three months for him, but we have to really thank Stockport for not making it difficult and for the help they’ve given along the way."

The Blues boss also commented on how his 32-year-old son's appointment fits into the club's philosophy of continuous improvement.

“With what’s going to go on in this particular department I think it will make a big improvement," he said. 

"And it’s not just in this area, I’m even looking at our coaching staff and thinking that we possibly need another coach to come in and help us as well.

"We have to look at every aspect of what we do and, if we can tweak, change or improve things, I think we have to do it.

"That’s why the appointment of a head of performance will hopefully be a step towards making our players more robust and resilient as we look to not just deal with this level but to get ourselves established within it as we drive on from here."

Simpson senior and junior were on opposite sides when Carlisle took on Stockport in last season's League Two play-off final.

Jake was a youth team player at Blackburn Rovers before going on to play under his father at Shrewsbury Town and Stockport, before moving into coaching.

He has also played for Workington Reds.

Stockport, commenting on Simpson's departure today, said: "We thank Jake for his contributions during his time at the club, and wish him the very best in his new role."