“I've played here before, and I loved the pitch,” says Ethan Robson, who now gets to make Carlisle United’s pristine surface his own. “If you’ve got a big pitch that’s as good as it is here, you’ve got to use it to your advantage.”
That is one thing United struggled to do last season as League One opponents too often made merry on Dave Mitchell’s lawn. The challenge, in League Two in 2024/25, is to redress that balance.
Robson has been signed with this in mind: a midfield ball-player who it is hoped will bring some attacking potency to Carlisle’s central offerings. Even in this age of squad numbers, the fact he has the number 7 on his back hints at Paul Simpson’s plans for the ex-Sunderland and MK Dons man.
“He [Simpson] wants me to get forward, and bring what I bring, which is energy, a bit of bite in midfield, [being] good on the ball, a good passing range,” says Robson. “These are the things I can bring to help the team moving forward.”
He does not, though, wish to pigeon-hole himself into one midfield role. Adaptability can still be crucial, even if Simpson feels he is already well-stocked with number-6 type midfielders. “I can sort of play both positions, a bit deeper and also attacking wise as well,” Robson says. “I don't really have a preference, I can do both, and I think that's probably a good thing that I'm versatile for the team.”
Simpson says Robson, 27, has a “wand of a left foot” and someone who, for MK Dons, was often a key link man in successful attacks. Yet the manager has also challenged the new signing to boost other key stats.
“I need to get goals and assists,” Robson agrees. “I need to find myself back up the top end of the pitch creating stuff, because that's something I can do.
“That's something I need to do more of, but I've definitely got the ability to do that and the effort to do that, which I'm sure I'll show the fans and everyone this season.”
Robson, who has signed a two-year deal, is happy to be closer to his home near Durham, but geography is not the only button United pushed. The vision of the club under the Piatak ownership is another.
That is something Robson made clear when he spoke outside the Blues Store on a busy day of fixture and kit announcements – as well as that of his own arrival.
“I had options, [but] if I'm honest, the opportunity to come here with the direction of the club, as well as it being a little bit closer to home…it was almost a no-brainer for me,” he says.
On the American ownership and their ambitions, he says: “It’s something that, as a player, I’ve seen happening, I’ve obviously spoken with the manager [about it] too, and I’m really impressed with what's in the pipeline and what the club's doing to move forward. That's something I want to be part of.”
Robson’s journey in the professional game began at the big club he supported from childhood. It also equipped him with valuable experiences – and some enviable mentors.
“I was six or seven [when I went to] Sunderland, made my way through, and played for the first team in the Championship,” he says.
“Making my debut for Sunderland, being a Sunderland fan and having come through the academy, was such a proud moment for myself and my family.” Robson also tasted promotion with the Black Cats. “That’s something you can never take away from me. You’ve always got that on your CV and it was a great experience.”
When rising through the Stadium of Light ranks, Robson did not need to look far for crucial influences. “My family was a big one, obviously, and among the players we used to look up to, Jordan Henderson was a big one.
“He'd done it all through Sunderland and he was a player who the younger lads looked up to. He was a lot older, but I also got a chance to train with him a few times. I've got a pair of his boots, actually, signed by him.
“The coaches there were all really good too - they kept you grounded and helped you a lot over the years.”
Robson had loan spells at Dundee and Grimsby, then left Sunderland permanently for Blackpool: a bittersweet decision. “Yeah, it was tough,” he says of departing Sunderland. “Obviously, I was a fan and that was my team, but you've also got to look at your career and how you go about making those next steps.
“I had a really good season at Blackpool under Neil Critchley, got promotion, and then went to MK.”
Robson’s two seasons at Stadium MK involved one in League One and then, after relegation, a run to the League Two play-offs before their promotion bid was halted by an inspired Crawley Town in May: an experience that gives Robson further motivation.
“Losing in the play-offs is probably the worst way to go out, but it gives you that drive and determination to use those experiences in your next clubs, which is what I'm hoping to do here at Carlisle,” he says.
Robson encounters certain familiar faces in the United ranks. “There’s a few north east lads who I know, the likes of Luke Armstrong and Jon Mellish. Jon was actually at Sunderland when I was there as well. There was maybe one year between us. We were 14 or 15, and then Jon went with Gateshead and I stayed on at Sunderland.”
Was Mellish, United’s longest-serving and arguably most popular player, the same all-action character back then? Robson smiles. “Yes! Great lad, great character, and I'm happy to be playing with him.”
Simpson has made plain United’s promotion ambition as they head towards 2024/25. Robson agrees that they can be clear in this aim.
“There's no reason why we shouldn't get promotion,” he says. “I know a lot of teams will be saying that, but I think it's about building that confidence in the team and taking it game by game, and making sure you get the three points.
“Even if that sometimes means you're not going to be [playing] your best football, as long as you get that win and find yourself at the right end of the table, that's the main thing.
“[In League Two] I've played in teams where it is about possession but I've also been in teams where you can mix up a bit as well. In this league it can be so hard and physical, and sometimes you do have to mix it up in order to get those three points.”
Robson is one of five new faces to date and these are the early bedding-in days – as well as the punishing ones. Pre-season, under way this week, will be ramped up in terms of intensity next week.
“Pre-season’s always tough, isn’t it?” smiles Robson. “The holidays go quick and before you know it you're running back on the pitch.
“But it’s all part of it. It brings us together as a team and it sets the foundations for the season.”
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