New Carlisle United boss wants Brunton Park 'fortress'

And the new head coach says both sides – players and fans – have a big part to play in that.

United host the Mariners in Williamson’s first home game at the helm since his appointment as Paul Simpson’s successor.

The game (kick-off 3pm) sees Carlisle bid to build on the positive start enjoyed by Williamson and his side at Swindon Town last weekend.

The new boss hopes to harness the strength of Brunton Park as he bids to lead the Cumbrians up the League Two table.

“We want to make it a fortress. We want to make it really, really difficult for teams to come here and make it intimidating to a point,” Williamson told the News & Star.

• LISTEN: Williamson on his first week, Grimsby test and more

“But we've got to make sure that that's because of the way we play and the intensity we play at and the levels that we can get to, and then the crowd on top of that will just intensify that.

“I’m really looking forward to the home game. When things aren't going our way, and we're going to have periods where we're suffering in games and in the season, I think that's the time where the fans really come into their own.

“They can turn it and turn the energy on the football pitch.

United are today hoping to build on last weekend's win at Swindon (Image: Richard Parkes)

“But it's a relationship and the boys have got to give that – and I think they gave it in spades last weekend and the supporters could see how much they really care and how hard they're working.”

Williamson could have Terell Thomas back in his squad today but may choose not to rush the fit-again defender back into his starting XI.

Other than the possible addition of the Saint Lucia international and left-back Jack Robinson, who made his comeback in midweek, the Blues boss looks set to select from the same group he took to Swindon.

United are hoping to win back-to-back games for the first time since March 2023.

And for Williamson, it will be a first taste of the Brunton Park crowd since he played at the ground as a young defender for Wycombe Wanderers in a 1-0 win over the Blues in November 2005.

That, though, was a less memorable game for the new United boss than one might imagine.

“I must have had a bad game, because I remember being in the changing room feeling deflated,” he recalled.

“When it comes to me I’ve thought I must have lost the game [but it wasn’t the case].

“I've not actually looked back, but it must have just been a tough one for myself personally – and I had a few of them, so I'm not surprised!”

United, meanwhile, have clarified the nature of Williamson's contract after his appointment last week.

The club confirmed that the head coach's deal is a rolling contract, rather than a deal lasting a particular number of years.