After returning to Brunton Park, we spoke to defender Morgan Feeney.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “I'm buzzing. Delighted to be back. Can't wait to get started now, finally it's done.”
Feeney captained United to promotion before joining Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 2023.
“I enjoyed my time at Shrewsbury.
“Last season didn't go the way we wanted to there, but I gained loads of experience there and played in some decent games, so I enjoyed my time there.”
“I'm a centre-back, I didn't play right-back as much as I've seen from what people have said on that, but no, I'm a centre-back. I've done a job at right-back and tried to do as best as I can.
“I feel like my best position is centre-back, but listen, wherever I'm asked to play, I'll play.
“I'm here to do my best for the club. I've always loved this club, I've always loved playing for this club, so I'm back now hopefully to go and perform on the pitch.
“My main focus now is obviously getting the club back up to where they need to be because it's definitely not where they belong.
“I think the aim is to get them back to League One where we finished last.
“When I left here, it was on a massive high because we got promoted at Wembley. It's a different situation coming back this time where we almost need to build that back up again, but speaking to the gaffer and what he wants from the group and myself, I've got an utmost belief that we're going to go and do that this season and beyond.
“That's my aim. That'll be the group's aim, I'm sure, this season, to go and put things right, I suppose, and get the club back to where it needs to be.
“I think, first and foremost, giving the fans something back for them to cheer about again. That comes from performances and doing well on the pitch. Myself and I'm sure the lads, when I meet them all, that'll be the first thing that we're going to try and do. Obviously, win games, try and put on performances and get the club back up, like I say, and give the fans something to shout about again.”
“I'll do my bit where I need to do it, but first and foremost, get it right on the football pitch. That's what the club needs, that's what the fans need.
“So, for myself, yeah, I'll muck in where I need to muck in and just hopefully get off to a flyer again this season."
Talking on the importance of character in the dressing room, Morgan said: “I think that was a massive strength for us on certainly the promotion season. When I was last here, we had such good characters in the dressing room and, you know, we had a strong union in the dressing room and, you know, hopefully we'll have that this season too.
“You can see how far that takes you when you have that tight-knit group. So hopefully, you know, we're all singing from the same hymn sheet and bounce back up.”
On the importance of leadership within the group, he added: “I think you need four, five, six captains in the team, you know, where everyone's leading in their own way and I think that, you know, that counts for this season too.
“You're going to need everyone pulling together and you need all your leaders out there and, you know, anyone can help along the way - I'm sure everyone will.
Gabe Breeze and Jack Ellis are the only remaining players Morgan knew from his previous stint in Cumbria, talking on other familiar faces within the camp, he said: “I know Embo (Elliot Embleton), I know Charlie Wyke and there's probably a few others that I've missed out there, but yeah, so the lads you mentioned, you know, really good lads and I'm sure all the other lads are good too. I can't wait to get going and meet them all.”
Finally, Feeney ended with a short message for the fans, saying: “Let's have another good go!”
