Carlisle United Football Club

“It’s good to be back,” he said. “I met a lot of nice people last time I was up here and it’s good to meet them all again. I’m looking forward to getting started and getting on with it.

“The move had been talked about for a while but I think things got a bit more serious a few weeks ago. It seemed to be on and off for a while but it’s all done now and here I am.”

“The main reason why I’m here is because of how much I enjoyed it last time,” he confirmed. “The last two years of my career haven’t gone as well as I wanted them to so this is a new start for me in some ways.

“When I came here on loan it was at a time when I was really happy to get playing. I thought it went well but unfortunately I got injured and my stay was cut short. I was gutted that the team got relegated but hopefully we can do good things this year. I think it’s the same for any team, you want to bounce back as quickly as possible so that has to be our aim.”

“Confidence is a huge thing so knowing you’re at a place where people want you is big for any player,” he told us. “Obviously I know the lads who were here and I used to live with David Amoo, in his flat, so it’s good to see him again. 

“I spoke to him and told him there was a chance of me coming back to the club and he said everybody would love to see me, if I could make it happen. Things like that always make it easier to settle.”

“I’ve had a few messages on social media from the fans and that’s really nice,” he said. “I got a really good reception from them when I came back up with Swindon last season and it’s another huge boost. 

“I’ve had two bad years and now it’s time to get on with things again. I haven’t played much at all and that needs to change. I think I still have something to prove to myself after not playing for two years. I want to show that I can play consistently and play well.”

“I’ve come through the injury, and I played a good number of games at the end of last season, and I know I have to manage myself properly,” he explained. “I did have a few problems with the knee and that led to the operation last season after I left here.

“I now know the drills I need to do to manage myself and keep on top of it so that I can play every game. Mentally I’m used to dealing with it now as well, and that’s something you learn from going through what I’ve been through. I just want to play as much as possible now.

“The run of games at the end of last season was important. Without that I’m not sure there’d have been as much interest from clubs. I was lucky to get the appearances in the end because players picked up injuries, who should have played, and I got the nod. I stepped up and played well and it went on from there.”

“I did have some other options but this seemed like the best thing to do,” he added. “Dropping down to League Two was a consideration because I want to play at the highest level I can. That was one of the reasons I left Exeter, because people told me I was capable of doing that, but I’m happy to be here to take this challenge on.”

“It’s nice to have the security of the two-year deal and I’m glad I’ve come to a good club,” he said. “It was a bit of a crazy time when I was here at the start of last season but it kicked off with a good result at Brentford.

“I remember having a chance in my second game, against Port Vale, and if I’d scored things might have been different for Greg. We enjoyed some very good results when Kav took over so we’ll be looking for more of the same again.

“Kav was really good for me. He made feel really confident, and he was another big part of me coming back to this club. I think he knows how to look after players and it’s really nice to have someone like that looking out for you and treating you properly. I think it’ll be a good partnership between me and the club.”