United return to action at Brunton Park this weekend following back-to-back away games and they'll be looking to pick up where they left off from their performances against Sunderland and Cheltenham.
Manager Keith Curle said: "Mansfield have built up a decent squad and I have no doubt they'll give us a tough test. Steve [Evans] will be looking to get some momentum going as quickly as possible and we will have to guard against that.
"Our fans have seen some good home performances so far and we're looking for more of the same. We know we're a very difficult team to handle when we're on our game so we'll go out there to compete and to impose our style of play in the areas where we feel we can hurt the opposition.
"We're hoping as many fans as possible keep coming because the atmopshere has been extremely intimidating for visiting teams so far. We appreciate that and we want to keep producing the brand of football which will get bums off seats and have people looking forward to coming out to watch their players perform."
Remember, you can purchase your tickets by telephone on 0844 371 1921* or buy online and print at home, or order for collection, by clicking HERE.
*Calls to this number are charged at 7p per minute from landlines. Charges from mobiles may vary. A booking fee of £1 applies to all online transactions.
+++++++
Club Legend Peter McConnell our special guest this weekend
Former-United captain Peter McConnell will be our guest of honour this weekend as he pops in to say hello to the club where he became a real hero through close to ten years of loyal service.
McConnell joined the Blues from Leeds United in the 60's and was the skipper when we achieved our first ever promotion under manager Ivor Powell in 1963.
Chairman Andrew Jenkins said: "Peter loved his time with Carlisle United and it's always nice to see him when he comes back to visit. He was at the heart of what was a very good side and a real driving force behind the success we achieved.
"He has a lot of fond memories and I'm sure he'll be as entertaining as ever when he speaks to the fans in our hospitality areas."
+++++++
All catering facilities open and join us for our Happy Hour
We can confirm that all of our hospitality and catering areas will be open again this weekend.
Our TV screens will be showing the League One meeting between Bradford City and Bristol Rovers from 12.30pm, to help you to get in the mood for the big game, and we'll be showing live sport after full time across our hospitality areas.
Our new catering partners, abm Catering, are also delighted to announce another Happy Hour in the Sporting Inn and Sunset Suite between 12pm and 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon.
The Happy Hour includes a ‘50p per pint off’ offer on Fosters, John Smiths and Strongbow [£3 per pint during the Happy Hour] – please note, Guinness and Morretti will be sold at full price.
Remember, you can upgrade your match ticket to book a place in Foxy’s Restaurant - £25pp for a two-course meal or £30pp for a three-course meal.
We also have an extensive range of sponsorship opportunities available, from Match Day sponsorship to player and ball sponsorship packages. For more information please contact the Commercial Department on 01228 554 155 or email commercial@carlisleunited.co.uk
++++++
CUOSC Surgery and Foodbank Collection
CUOSC will be holding their next Supporters’ Surgery on Saturday, between 1.15pm and 2.45pm in the Study Centre, located next to the Blues Store.
Barry Carter from the CUSG Disabled Supporters Group will also be in attendance to answer any questions or queries our disabled fans may have.
As part of their surgery CUOSC will be collecting food for the Carlisle Foodbank which has reported a higher than normal requirement for donations to help with those who use the service through the summer months.
CUOSC director Billy Atkinson said: "Our last foodbank collection was a huge success and we want to continue to help if we can.
"Thank you to everybody who donated - please spread the word and let's try to help as many disadvantaged and vulnerable people as we can."
+++++++
Pick up your brand new Umbro home and away replica kits!
Our Blues Store will be open from 10am on Saturday morning for the sale of this season's double-diamond Umbro home and away kits.
Both kits have been extremely well received with sales continuing at extremely high levels.
Some of our first team players will be popping into the Blues Store at around 2pm – be there for a selfie with your new shirt if you can make it!
Telephone sales: 01228 554 138 (during store working hours only).
To shop at our online Blues Store, click HERE.
+++++++
The Mascots
Our mascots for this game are Sam Davidson and Ashley Jade Pope.
Sam's favourite players are Nicky Adams and Richie Bennett. Ashley is a big Shaun Miller fan and is hoping he gets a goal for us today!
Have a great day both.
To find out more about our Junior Blues membership and how to become a mascot, click HERE.
+++++++
The Man in the Middle
Our match referee this weekend is Mr Darren Handley.
Mr Handley has been in charge of two games so far this season and has shown six yellow cards and one red.
He was last at Brunton Park for our 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town last season. Shaun Brisley [a stunner] and Charlie Wyke scored our goals and Nicky Adams and Jason Kennedy went in the book.
Our betting partner Sky Bet has some fantastic odds available on all match markets – click HERE for more details.
+++++++
The Match Programme
Issue 4 of this season’s The Blues match day programme is on sale from our usual programme selling points and outlets around the ground.
It’s a 64-page publication this season and it’s packed with fun, facts and features to keep you entertained during the half time break.
And we're delighted to say that we have already picked up a Programme of the Week award following our meeting with Sunderland in the Carabao Cup.
Our popular Head2Head featurpits Reggie Lambe against Hallam Hope - and it's a close one - and Luke Joyce tells us what he would consign to Room 101.
Priced at just £3 it’s one not to be missed.
+++++++
Match Day Ticket Sales
Match Day Ticket Sales are as follows:
Main Stand [B, C, Pirelli Family Stand and EWM] – from the ticket office situated on the west side of the stadium.
Paddock – from the Paddock ticket office situated at the southern end of the Paddock.
Pioneer Foods Stand and Warwick Road End – from the Pioneer Foods Stand ticket office situated on the ground floor on the east side of the stadium.
Away fans – from the away ticket office situated at the northern end of the Pioneer Foods Stand.
Remember – during the working week our Pioneer Foods Stand ticket office, situated on the first floor of the Pioneer Foods stand, is open for ticket sales for ALL areas of the ground.
The ticket office on the west side of the stadium is open on MATCH DAYS ONLY.
The ticket office is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays (and until kick off for midweek games) and from 10am to 5.15pm on weekend match days.
It is worth noting that entry can be gained on match days by showing your ticket confirmation email on your smart phone or equivalent device. Simply present the relevant section of your eTicket for scanning at point of entry.
For full ticket office opening times and ticket prices, click HERE.
Remember, you can purchase your tickets by telephone on 0844 371 1921* or buy online and print at home, or order for collection, by clicking HERE.
+++++++
Be in it to win it with our Golden Gamble
Keep your eye out for our Golden Gamble sellers around the ground ahead of kick off.
Your tickets can be purchased for just £1 (or at 3 for £2) and give you the chance to win either £100, or the share of a cash pot, in our half time draws.
And, while we’re on the subject, why not sign up to our exciting Blues Lotto? For just £1 you can purchase 10 lucky numbers for our weekly draw giving you the chance to win cash prizes from our fund of nearly £60,000.
There is now the opportunity to pay an additional £1 per week to upgrade to Premier Membership where there is another £17,000 cash, 3 new cars and many other prizes waiting to be won.
For more details visit www.blueslotto.co.uk or email lottery@carlisleunited.co.uk.
Alternatively call 01228 526 237 and ask for Ewan Wood.
+++++++
The Blues Store in the East Stand
We are delighted to confirm that our Blues Store will be operating from the Club Bar adjacent to the Family Zone in the Pioneer Foods Stand once again this weekend.
A full range of stock will be available with the emphasis on smaller items, suitable for the younger visitors to our extremely popular Family Zone games and play area.
Keep your eye out for our mini-tuck shop selling a range of confectionary and drinks.
Replica kit sales continue to go well in our main Blues Store on Warwick Road and it would be great to see you in your favourite colour [blue or carbon] as you cheer on the lads from the stands and the terraces.
Blues Store opening times:
Monday - 10am to 5pm
Tuesday - 10am to 5pm (open until 7.45pm on a match day)
Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday - 10am to 5pm
Friday - 10am to 5pm
Saturday - 10am to 3pm (open until 5.30pm on match day)
Sunday - CLOSED
Telephone sales: 01228 554 138 (during store working hours only).
Click HERE to shop at our online Blues Store.
+++++++
Challenge 25
We are operating the ‘Challenge 25’ policy at Brunton Park this season.
Please do not be offended if you are asked for ID when purchasing alcohol and if you appear to be under the age of 25 to our bar staff.
Thank you for your cooperation.
+++++++
The Supporters’ Car Park
Our supporters’ car park is open with parking available at the stadium at just £3.
Please be aware that the ground can be uneven in places, so take care when navigating and walking around the area.
+++++++
Local Match Day Travel with Stagecoach
Carlisle Footyrider – get to the match for half the cost!
Stagecoach Cumbria and Carlisle United are working together to make it easier for you to get to Brunton Park on match days.
The Carlisle Footyrider ticket will get you to every first-team home game for half the price of a normal dayrider ticket.
Stagecoach service 76 and 685 takes you straight to Brunton Park. Simply catch service 76 from The Crescent (Stand U) near the train station or service 685 from Carlisle Bus Station.
What you'll need
To get a Carlisle Footyrider ticket you’ll need to show our driver one of the following:
+ A valid Carlisle United season ticket
+ A ticket for that day's match
Where you can travel?
You can get to Brunton Park from anywhere across Cumbria and North Lancashire.
Depending on where you’re travelling from, you can purchase a Footyrider ticket from within the:
+ Carlisle dayrider zone
+ Carlisle dayrider plus zone
+ Explorer zone
How much does it cost?
+ Carlisle dayrider - £1.50
+ Carlisle dayrider plus - £3.35
+ Explorer - £5.40
Click HERE to visit the Stagecoach website for full travel details.
