Carlisle United: Charlie Wyke appointed captain for 2024/25

Manager Paul Simpson has handed the armband to the striker who rejoined the club as their major summer signing.

The decision was confirmed four days ahead of the new League Two campaign.

It has also been confirmed that Sam Lavelle, who often wore the armband last season, will be club captain.

Simpson rotated the captaincy in pre-season, though Wyke was named skipper most often - including for last weekend's final friendly against Stockport County.

United's manager feels the 31-year-old is a player that others will naturally follow.

"Charlie will be the team captain and Sam Lavelle will be the club captain," said Simpson, commenting on the decision via United's ebsite.

“I think Charlie leads by example, he's vastly experienced at playing at a higher level, the players look up to him and he's a real focal point of the team. 

“I don't want him to change his game, I don't want him to do anything different, but I just think he's got that respect of everybody in the group, and I'm hoping that he'll thrive by having that armband."

Wyke was among a number of players to captain the team in pre-season, others including Lavelle, Aaron Hayden, Jon Mellish, Terell Thomas and Josh Vela.

Sam Lavelle (pictured) will be club captain, whilst Wyke is team captain (Image: Ben Holmes)

The decision will see the former Bradford City, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic man lead the team out at Gillingham on Saturday's opening game of the season, as he begins his second spell with the Cumbrians.

Paul Huntington, who was released at the end of last season, was United's previous captain, though Lavelle frequently captained the side when Huntington was not in the team during 2023/24 - and Simpson admires the way Lavelle conducts himself.

“Sam has probably been fulfilling the club captain role since he arrived at the club, and he's been doing it through pre-season," said Simpson.

“He's a real good, solid pro with the way he goes about his business. I had the first conversation with him to explain my thinking.

"I've also spoken to a couple of the other ones about my thinking behind it, because I think there's been a few who've shown really good leadership qualities."

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Simpson said he has identified a "leadership group" in the squad that will provide feedback to him during the campaign.

He added: "I'm hoping that they continue to do that, regardless of the fact they haven't got the armband.

"People like Josh Vela, Terell Thomas, Aaron Hayden, and even people like Harrison Neal, who I think leads by example. He goes about his business in the right way, he'll dig people out when they need to be, and we have to have that as a group this year.

“We want a group of leaders. We didn't have it last season, and I think we've got some real good personalities and hopefully they can all play their part."