Billy Barr rejoins Carlisle United as first-team coach

The 55-year-old has been appointed first-team coach.

It sees him reunited with Paul Simpson having been part of the Blues manager's backroom staff in his previous reign until 2006.

Barr was most recently at Dundee as assistant manager to Gary Bowyer, with whom he had also worked at Salford City.

He also had coaching spells at Blackburn Rovers, Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday.

That followed a stint under Simpson at Preston North End after he followed the Blues boss from Carlisle to Deepdale in 2006.

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Barr had been a player and then a coach on the youth and first-team sides at Brunton Park, having originally joined the club from Crewe Alexandra in 1997.

His return bolsters Simpson's coaching ranks which also include assistant boss Gavin Skelton and goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins.

Barr, previously with Salford (pictured) and Dundee under Gary Bowyer, coached Gavin Skelton during his first Carlisle spell - the pair will now be colleagues (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Simpson, speaking on the club website about Barr's appointment, said: "It’s something I’ve been thinking about for the past week or two.

"I just wanted another set of eyes, a fresh face and a new voice around the place just to see if we can change the dynamic.

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“It’s a case of trying to freshen it up a little bit with a new member of staff and I think Billy will add to the group that we’ve already got.

“I’m looking forward to working with him again. He’s been clicking his heels at home and wanting to get back involved.

🤝 We are delighted to confirm that Billy Barr has joined Paul Simpson's staff as a first team coach 👇https://t.co/FtLUJT0CrH

— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) February 9, 2024

"I made a call to him yesterday and straight away he said yes and asked when he could start.

“I wanted that enthusiasm and I wanted somebody new to come in. I’m looking forward to working with him and I’m hoping he can have a real positive influence on the group.”

United say Barr's deal with the club is to the end of the season.