United fans who purchased a ‘Face in the Crowd’ cardboard cut-out can now reclaim their likeness (or that of their loved one, favourite film star, pet, fluffy toy … or whatever) from the Blues Store here on Warwick Road.
Hundreds of you (well, not actually you in person, but you know what we mean) took a place in the Pioneer Stand as part of the CUOSC Carlisle Reunited campaign launched in May 2020 which allowed you to show your backing for the lads through the period of games where supporters were locked out.
Click HERE to read the launch article about the Carlisle REUnited fund.
The Carlisle REUnited initiative was aimed at helping to ensure the survival, sustainability and future success of the football club and has raised over £13,000 so far. Funds were purely for the purpose of supporting the club through the crisis and not to be used for any other purpose.
With us now able to attend games in-person [come on you Blues!!!] the cut-outs have been taken down and are available for you to collect from the Blues Store from 1pm on Monday morning [12 July] during normal store working hours.
Simply pop along, identify your cut-out and you can take it away with you, if you wish to do so.
The collection deadline is by the Blues Store closing time after the final whistle at the home friendly against FC Halifax Town on 30 July.
If you want your cut-out signed by the players, keep it in a safe place and we’ll be holding an event at a suitable point during the 2021/22 season where you can bring it along for autographs and selfies with the lads.
Any uncollected cut-outs will be retained by the club and will be used to create a public display of a ‘wall of fans’ here at the stadium (location will depend on the number of uncollected cut-outs), hopefully in time for the first home league game on 7 August 2021.
Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “The support of the fans through the pandemic has been fantastic. The fund was purely for the purpose of supporting the club through the crisis and not to be used for any other purpose, and that has helped do that.
“The monies raised have funded new sports science equipment aimed at injury prevention and will also contribute towards improving facilities for the fans.
“In both cases the need to conserve cash and minimise all but essential and emergency spending during the pandemic meant these projects would not have taken place without fan funding. We are grateful for the support of everyone who took part.
“The ‘wall of fans’ will be a reminder to everyone of that support.”
Nigel Davidson, from CUOSC, said: “Face in the Crowd has been an excellent project, designed to support the club at a time when we really didn’t have any idea how long we would be faced with pandemic restrictions.
“Knowing that supporters have contributed directly to such things as the Nordbord and the improvement of supporter facilities at Brunton Park is great.
“Now we have the news that we will all be back together again for the big kick off, it’s time to look forward to the season, to new initiatives and collaborative projects with the club, CUSG group members and the wider community - so watch this space!
“Good luck Carlisle United for the 2021/22 season and welcome back everyone.”
Face in the Crowd cardboard cut-out collection – Blues Store, Brunton Park, collect NOW until the Blues Stores closes on Friday 30 July (the Blues Store is closed on Wednesdays)
