We had a chat with our ever-popular Football in the Community Officer yesterday to find out where taking over a pub in Carlisle leaves him with regards to his job here at the club.

He told us, "I am still head of the FITC project here. Some people seem to be under the impression that I'm leaving, or going part time, or something. That isn't what's going to happen at all. If anything, I'm going to take more hours now. We did cut back a bit during the Christmas period, which is only natural, because the schools are closed, so the Community project doesn't have as much work. I have spent some time on a new venture for me, taking over a pub in Carlisle, the Museum, but that will be coming to an end shortly. We will be getting a manager in, and while I will still be there from day to day, I won't be putting the same hours in. I am full time at Carlisle United, my commitment to the Club is 100%, and it will always stay that way.

"The only thing that I have cut back on is the Centre of Excellence work," he added. "When I took the Museum pub on I spoke to David Wilkes and explained that I would have to cut my hours back over there. We had a chat and there is always the possibility that I may be able to go back there next season, and possibly get involved again. If we get the manager we want, and the pub running the way we want it to, then hopefully I can get back there and help at the Centre of Excellence. It's something I've always really enjoyed, working with the kids and seeing them develop. David and I have seen a lot of players come through to the Club, and some leave and go on and have successful careers, so it's a nice part of the job."

"As far as the FITC goes," he explained, "we are now busy planning our four February half term courses. They will be in Carlisle, Workington, Wigton and Penrith. We are trying to branch out and get people involved from various areas in Cumbria. We do have a limited staff, so it's difficult covering all areas, but we are trying to get out and about in to areas we haven't been before, and hopefully we will get there some time this year."

"We will also be continuing our 'Play Fair' Scheme," he said. "That is supported by the Carlisle Glass League, and sponsored by Carlisle City Council and Sure Start. What we do is get two players from each Club from a certain age, maybe U10, U12 etc, and that includes girls as well, that the managers feel deserve a trip to the Club for a match day. It may be their best player, their best goal scorer, but what we try and encourage is maybe a player that comes every week, but doesn't necessarily get a game. Or maybe a player who is a sub every week, but who will be there anyway. Or it could be a player who keeps improving, or one who always helps out. That's the kind of attitude that we are trying to encourage, and that's what we try to get across to the children. We have a DVD for them to watch, where our players and coaches tell them what they think is fair play, they also get a tour of the ground, food, coaching, and they get to watch the match as well, so it really is an attractive package for them."

"On the DVD they get to listen to messages from all of the FITC gang, players like Keiren, Murph and Muzza, and there are comments from Dave Wilkes, and a special message from Fred himself. It's a really strong message that they get from the club, and something they seem to enjoy."

"So," he concluded, "I'm really enjoying this job, I still want to develop our scheme as far as we can, and I'm still 100% committed to both the job and the club. I'm going nowhere!"