United are sad to announce the passing of "Billy the Fish", the lucky mascot who has overseen the club's rise from the Conference up to League One in the last five years.

Billy was discovered swimming about in the goalmouth at the Warwick Road End of the ground in the aftermath of the floods that hit the city in January 2005. Huge industrial pumps were about to be switched on to start clearing water off the pitch but the fish was saved just in time.

The fish was placed into a tank and a media appeal was made to find its owner. While waiting for the owner to come forward, United recorded a 3-1 win over Redditch United in the FA Trophy, ending a poor run of results.

The owner of the fish did come forward and it was then 4-year old Ashleigh Turk of nearby Brunton Cresent. Billy (which Ashleigh's mum Jenny confirmed was in fact a "she" and called Judy!) had been swept away from her bowl in the hallway of their house and somehow found her way to the lake that once was the Brunton Park pitch.

In a very generous gesture, both Ashleigh and Jenny agreed that the club could keep Billy as a lucky mascot, with the club buying Ashleigh a replacement fish.

It's fair to say that good luck tag has been appropriate one as Billy, from the comfort of a fishtank in the reception at Brunton Park, oversaw United's return to the Football League, the League Two title triumpth, trips to the Millennium Stadium and the new Wembley Stadium and even a club record run of 14 consecutive home victories in the 2007/08 season.

Billy proved popular with everyone at Brunton Park, especially groups of schoolkids on tours of the ground who would often ask to see the fish.

The club is now planning to buy some new fish which will hopefully bring the same sort of luck as Billy did! We will be looking for new names for the fish. Please send in your suggestions to media@carlisleunited.co.uk (please use the subject title "FISH NAME") and the best entry will be chosen.