Paul Simpson says Carlisle United’s modern new dressing rooms help bring the club out of the “dark ages”.

The Blues unveiled their new home dressing room last week after a major summer overhaul.

It is part of the plan by the club’s owners, the Piataks, to significantly modernise a number of facilities at Brunton Park.

Manager Simpson is delighted with the new changing room layout and says it is a big step forward for the club from its previous, dated facilities.

United's new home dressing roomUnited's new home dressing room (Image: Carlisle United)

“It’s fantastic. It's a hell of a change from what we've had, it really is,” he said.

“That’s not just the first team changing room, but the actual changing room for the officials too.

“We were in the dark ages, what we had.

“The away team changing room was horrendous for teams, the officials’ changing room was totally disrespectful, but now we're getting closer to a proper facility.

“The changing room for our first team boys is excellent and they massively appreciate it.

“It's a sign of where the club wants to go,” United’s manager added. “There is still a long way to go for us to get into the modern day, but if we keep going like we are, we'll be fine.”

Carlisle thanked the following firms for their work on the new changing facilities: McKnight Builders, EEC Mechanical, Plumbing and Electric, S&M Flooring, Springfield Supplies & Projects, Image Signs and UJP - Unwin Jones Partnership.

Under the Piataks, major renovations are taking place this summer at Brunton Park, with significant work on the East Stand and Warwick Road End continuing.

The Cumbrians are closing the latter two stands to home fans for the next two Brunton Park games – against Stockport County in a pre-season friendly and Stoke City in the Carabao Cup – as the work goes on.