Our Schools and Community Ticket Scheme introduces hundreds of young fans to the joys of supporting Carlisle United.
We caught up with 170 parents and children who enjoyed a grand day out at Brunton Park for the recent Carlisle United v Newport County match.
At every home match, there are squeals of delight as thousands of children and families get to watch the team throughout the season thanks to this scheme which is sponsored by The Cumberland. It provides primary schools, community groups and junior football teams with free tickets for all home matches.
The children watched the game from a special section of the stands, have a tour of the grounds and even meet some of the players.
Skipping with excitement down the players’ tunnel and towards the pitch, the children stopped to admire the Carlisle United emblem above them. One of the highlights for many was meeting Olga the fox.
Andrew Gordon, business development manager for The Cumberland, volunteers to welcome the children on Saturdays. He has been coming to watch Carlisle United play for about fifty years and loves passing on his enthusiasm to the children, many of whom will not have been to see a football match before.
“I love coming and showing the children around the club. When you see the children’s faces they’re so excited it’s brilliant.
“We want to encourage the fans of the future to come and support Carlisle United. I’m proud to be part of it. Helping build this is great and it shows how The Cumberland’s commitment to kinder banking makes a big difference in the community.”
Former midfielder Jeff Thorpe arrived with youngsters from Cockermouths under 10s. He said: “Bringing them to watch the match is extra special, they get to do so much.
“They meet the players, get to sit in the dugout and some of the children even had the chance to hold the flags to form a guard of hounor for the players as they came out onto the pitch.”
Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson, met the children in the dugout ahead of the match.
He said: "I see the groups doing their ground tour ahead of nearly every home game and it's always fantastic to see how excited they are to be at the stadium on a match day.
"The Cumberland community ticket scheme is a brilliant initiative, with so many young people getting to come to a game when they perhaps otherwise wouldn't have that opportunity.
"The numbers are really high for those who attend via this scheme across the season and the fact is, they could be our fans of the future. That's why it's so important.
"Thank you to everyone who makes it happen - and a huge thank you to the children for putting a smile on my face on a Saturday afternoon."
United defender Jack Ellis went to meet the young fans, he said: “It’s really good to come and meet the children. They’re our future fans and it’s great to see them enjoying it and having fun.”
Reserve goalkeeper Scott Simons said: “It’s brilliant to see the young fans' faces and meet them all. I really like coming up to see them. It’s also really important to connect with them now and they will remember this for the rest of their lives.”
