United v Crewe, Saturday 1 October, kick off 3pm.
Special guest
Some bad news - United favourite Simon Hackney can no longer be with us on Saturday due to travel difficulties that have arisen for this weekend.
He sends his sincere apologies, and a promise that he'll be with us soon.
Simon played 139 games for us between 2005 and 2009 and scored 17 goals along the way. Unplayable on his day, he was a big favourite with his positive and direct approach and was a big part of what was a very successful period for the club.
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The Fan Zone (west side of the stadium ... open at 12.30pm)
Live Music - There will be no live music this weekend.
Our outdoor Fan Zone has the Container Bar at its focal point, and there are three serving hatches, which will be serving lager and soft drinks (Heineken Silver, Moretti, Fosters, Ullswater Blonde, Pilsner).
Please note - transactions at the Container Bar are card only.
Container Bar open after the game!
The Container Bar is open after the game - for one hour - for post-match drinks. This is particularly handy if you want to wait as the traffic congestion clears.
And, remember, it's free pies with your pint (while stocks last)!
The players arrive for the build-up to the game at just after 1pm (approximately) and this will be a great chance for you to get your selfies and autographs when they wander through the Fan Zone before they head into the pre-match meeting.
We are pleased once again to have Stackerz-Grill Bar with us for this fixture, right at the heart of our Fan Zone as usual.
They'll be here with their famous Cumbrian steak mince Stacker Burgers, home made chips, and more ... their match day offerings are proving to be extremely popular!!
Click HERE for more information on Stackerz.
We also welcome the Fellwater Coffee Van which will be serving a range of coffees and hot chocolate drinks.
Click HERE to find out more about Fellwater Coffee - they'll be with us from pre-match until after half time.
And The Chippie Van will also be on hand once again with their award-winning fish and chip style selection of mouth-watering match day food.
Click HERE for more on our partnership with The Chippie Van.
Also with us is Shake, Waffle and Roll!
Shaky, their 1950s inspired VW catering van, sells delicious Belgian lolly waffles (waffles on a stick) and a range of flavoured milkshakes. The waffles and milkshakes are available with a choice of toppings and sauces.
For more information on these special match day treats, click HERE.
We will also have a Pop-up Tuck Shop selling a range of sweets and soft drinks in the Fan Zone from 1.30pm. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Lonsdale Store.
Horsebox Bar - this will not be in operation today.
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Bars and facilities
The Glass Bar (formerly the Sunset Suite) and Murphy's Bar will open at 12.30pm as we all get together ahead of kick off.
Both bars will be open for an hour after the game - please do come back in and join us. There'll be a free pie with every pint purchased, while stocks last, after the full-time whistle has blown.
We're delighted to confirm that Neck Oil and Heineken Silver will be available on draught throughout this season.
We also have Ullswater Blonde Gluten Free beer in the Glass Bar.
Our east stand outlets stock Kronenburg as an addition to their refreshment provisions, and they will all be open for business from 1.45pm.
And, for the hot drink lovers out there, the Pioneer bar will also have Espresso, Café Latte and Cappuccino (using Brunton Blend beans) as a match day trial.
Please do give them a try.
Don't forget that contactless payment is available at all outlets.
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New bar in the East stand concourse!
Adjacent to the Family Zone and the seated area, our new bar will be in operation for the first time this weekend.
This facility will be selling Ullswater Blonde and Ullswater Pilsner, Monster energy drinks, and soft drinks.
We're looking forward to seeing our new bar in operation as we continue to look to enhance your macth day experience.
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Kiosks open:
The kiosks will be open in all areas of the stadium with a selection of McCall’s pasties on offer - including the return of the Brunton Pastie! - as well as soft drinks and our fantastic Brunton Blend coffee, supplied by John Watt & Son, and Cumbrian Tea, for the leafier drinkers amongst you.
Ross’s Bar in the Pioneer Stand will have Nachos with cheese and/or jalapenos as yet another different offering for your match day delight.
Both Balderstone's and McConnell's will be running a cashless service.
Don't forget your Pie & Pint offer at just £6!
You can enjoy a pizza and a soft drink for £4.75.
And there's your Pie & Hot drink offer for just £4.50!
Also don't forget that contactless payment is available at all outlets.
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Click and collect app - buy your food and drink using our handy new app!
You can order your match day refreshments via an app which provides a 'click and collect' service for the purchase of food and drink inside the stadium.
Our app is in operation in the following areas:
+ McVitie’s Bar
+ Pioneer Bar
+ Balderstone’s Bar
+ Ross’s Bar
+ Sunset Suite
To download the app click HERE for Apple or HERE for Android.
Then:
+ Select the products you want.
+ Pick the collection time.
+ Pick the location.
+ Pay.
It's then a case of going to the collection point at your chosen time and your food and drink will be ready to enjoy!
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East Stand Family Zone
Carlisle United’s Family Zone is in full swing again this season with hundreds of children and youngsters making use of what is a fantastic facility in the East Stand.
The Family Zone opens at 1.30pm on a Saturday match day, and at 6.30pm for an evening fixture, and provides a fun place to meet new friends and play games ahead of the big match action.
The Zone is open through to half time and, with staff in place to keep an eye on things, gives a safe and secure environment where children of all ages can relax.
We have XBox gaming facilities, pool, bar football, table tennis, plus plenty of activities for children of all ages.
And you can look forward to a visit from some players, and Olga the big fluffy fox, ahead of the game!
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Also for our younger fans:
There's a tuck shop ideal for pocket money purchases, with soft drinks and a selection of sweets available, at the Warwick Road End of our east stand concourse.
Pop into the Blues Store as well - there's loads of little keepsakes to take away.
If you see Olga walking around, inside or outside the ground, make sure you say hello and get a selfie.
Do the same with the players when they arrive ahead of the game, over in our Fan Zone on the west side of the stadium (just after 1pm).
And see above for all of your munchable options, with our pizza option proving to be very popular.
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Contactless payment:
We’re delighted to confirm that we have contactless payment, with the cash payment option reduced to one till per refreshment point.
We hope this provision enhances your match day experience.
