Devitt: 'Crystal clear' promotion aim persuaded me to join Carlisle Utd

The former Morecambe fans’ favourite had several other offers on the table, notably from newly-relegated Crewe Alexandra, but chose instead to join a Keith Curle-inspired Carlisle revolution that has already seen five new faces brought in.

“I had a coffee with the boss last week and it was after this conversation that my mind was made up,” said the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

“He made it clear that promotion, and nothing less, is the goal and not promotion by finishing in the top seven, and getting involved in play-offs, but by finishing in the top three and going up automatically.

“He’s a well-known, famous figure in football and he doesn’t want to be in League Two. Neither do I, so we’re singing from the same hymn sheet.

“I think I can bring something to the game and with the other signings I’m sure we’ll have a squad capable of going up.

“Nicky Adams, for instance, has had successive promotions and knows what it takes. He’s a quality player.

“Whether it be by winning the league by 20 points, finishing in the top three, goal difference or whatever I’m confident we’ll be in League One in a few months’ time.”

Devitt loves a rapport with supporters and the reception given to him by Carlisle fans after he pulled all the strings in Morecambe’s 3-2 victory at Brunton Park last October before being substituted is one of his happiest moments in football.

“I got a standing ovation from the home crowd when I came off and that was just fantastic,” he said. “That doesn’t happen very often, in fact it’s usually the opposite that you get as an opposition player.

“It showed me the Carlisle fans know their football, appreciate good play and are fair-minded.

“I want to make as big an impression in Carlisle colours as I did against them.

“I loved the Morecambe fans. I’ve had so many goodwill messages from them since I left but I’ve also had plenty of welcome messages from followers of Carlisle and I’m very appreciative of that.

“I hope Morecambe do well next season and I’ll be keeping a check on their results. As long as they are doing well, but not as well as Carlisle, I’ll be happy.

“Carlisle, and getting promoted, are my full focus now.”

Dublin-born Devitt is currently living in Liverpool but was house-hunting with his young family in Carlisle yesterday.

He got his start in English football almost by default.

“I was playing for the local Cherry Orchard club in Dublin and it turned out two scouts from Hull City were watching,” he explained. “They’d come to look at somebody else but they invited me over for a trial.

“When I played in this trial I had a stinker, but they signed me anyway!”

Several loan stints followed for the youngster who had been voted Hull’s Young Player of the Year and Supporter’s Club Player of the Year for the 2007–08 season and it has been a circuitous route to Carlisle.

“I can’t wait for my first Carlisle game,” he said. “Pre-season is so important for players keen to make an impression and I want to make sure my name is on that team sheet.”

The new season kicks off on Saturday, August 6, with the fixtures released on Wednesday, June 22.

• United are renaming their annual golf day the ‘Dick Young Carlisle United Golf Day’ being held at Carlisle Golf Club on Friday July 8 in memory of their “much loved and respected” commercial director who died this year.

Mr Young, who introduced the annual golf day to the club calendar over 10 years ago, grew the event from a simple mini-competition to a keenly contested format which brings staff and players together with businesses and fans from the local area and beyond.

Club director and close friend of Mr Young, Norman Steel, said: “The renaming of the Carlisle United Golf Day, now held annually, is fitting and appropriate as it was his skills in the first instance that led to the event being inaugurated a number of years ago.

“Dick would have been very proud of this gesture, and I know his family are as well.”