Mike Williamson today starts his reign with a message to Carlisle United fans: You’re the biggest part of everything we’ll do.

The new Blues head coach’s era begins this afternoon when United head to Swindon Town (County Ground, 3pm).

It will be Williamson’s first experience of the Blue Army as Carlisle’s boss – and Paul Simpson’s successor says the importance of supporters could not be greater.

“I think it's the biggest part,” he said.

“I think the fans are the football club.

“I'm really looking forward to meeting the fans, and connecting with them, and we want to give them something to get behind the boys and get them excited, so in turn it helps us on the pitch.”

READ MORE: Williamson on his coaches, sporting director situation and more

Williamson’s tenure begins in Wiltshire today as Carlisle seek an immediate lift under their new boss after five league defeats from six.

Immediately on the agenda of the new head coach is the fitness of certain players, with Terell Thomas (hamstring) having missed last weekend’s defeat to Fleetwood Town.

The new boss, who will be flanked by coaches Ian Watson, Carl Magnay and Chris Bell, must also decide whether to make any selection changes to the last XI named by United’s former caretakers.

Williamson has described fans as the most important part of UnitedWilliamson has described fans as the most important part of United (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Carlisle take on a Swindon side who picked up their first win of the league season against Newport County last weekend, and who include ex-Blues attacker Dan Butterworth, who switched clubs on transfer deadline day.

On his first game in charge, Williamson said: “It’s going to be a tough one. They [Swindon] have got a clear style of playing, they can mix it up.

“You can see they try and move the ball and then also [can] flip and they've got hard-working players. So it's not going to be easy, it's going to be really difficult – but at the moment I'm solely focused on us and making sure that we're ready and as prepared as we possibly can be.

“We have to go there and see elements of us coming out already, but [above all] knowing that we're all going to give everything and give the fans something to really cheer about.”

Williamson added that his principle is that everyone involved with the club is connected and pushing in the same direction.

“We have to give back to [the fans and community] by building that connection and having that relationship, and them coming here and really feeling connected to the journey,” he added.

“It's my job and my goal to really emphasise that every single person is as important as anyone else.

“I know it's a cliche, but whoever's sweeping the changing rooms is just as important as whoever's putting the ball in the back of the net.

“We all have to feel connected because what this club does embody is hard work and honest and authentic people that are desperate to win football games, but do it in the right manner.”

Blues fans travelling back from Swindon tonight are being advised of motorway closures on the M6 northbound between junctions 23 and 26 from 9pm to 6am. Diversion routes are in place.https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/m6-junction-21a-to-26-motorway-upgrade/