Carlisle United captain Morgan Feeney is delighted to have secured his future at Brunton Park after signing a new contract which will keep him at the club until 2029.
The defender is eager to continue building on the progress made under Head Coach Rob Elliot and believes the club has the foundations to achieve great things in the coming years.
Feeney admitted he was delighted to get the deal completed, particularly after a positive week on the pitch for United.
"Delighted, really excited. I certainly wanted to get it done for a while and to finally get it done. Really happy, especially after the good week we've just had.
"It was a double week for celebration after the nine-point week and to get the contract sorted as well. Buzzing, so I'm looking forward to the next few years."
The captain explained that his strong connection with Carlisle United and the supporters made extending his stay an easy decision.
"I'm not shy in saying I've got real strong feelings towards this football club. It feels like a good fit for me. The fans, from the minute I walked in the door, have been excellent with me and the whole group.
"I really enjoy playing my football here. I get almost a different buzz when I play out there at Brunton Park. Regardless of what happens in the rest of my career, I'll always follow this football club. It was a no-brainer for me to secure my future."
Feeney also spoke positively about the direction the club is heading in, highlighting his belief in the project and the squad being built.
"I fully believe in the project we've got building and I think now you can finally see on the pitch we're building a real strong team and a real strong squad and we're only going to kick on from here.
"Hopefully, the next few years are positive ones. Hopefully, we can build something and give something back to the city as a whole and achieve something again with the club."
The defender has enjoyed working under Rob Elliot and was full of praise for the Head Coach and his staff, while also reflecting on the manager's recent comments about his leadership.
"I fully enjoy working under Rob. Me and him have got a real good relationship. He's an excellent manager, first and foremost, and the staff. Tactically, they're one of the best I've worked with in that sense."
On being described by Elliot as one of the best captains he has worked with, Feeney added: "It's brilliant, yes. It's nice words. As I say, I've got an excellent relationship with him and he's certainly one of the best I've worked with as well.
"It's high praise. It's lovely stuff and I'll always try and do the best I can for him and anyone else who's in the door."
Having previously helped Carlisle achieve promotion from League Two to League One, Feeney is determined to experience that feeling again and believes there is unfinished business..
"I want that feeling again of the football club going up. What it's done for the city as well, not just football fans, local businesses and things saying how much it kind of helped them. It means a great deal to the people around here."
The captain admitted last season's disappointment took time to get over but insists the squad has a renewed determination to achieve promotion.
"Last season it was heartbreaking in many ways when we just fell short towards the end and it took a lot of the summer to get over that.
"But a newfound determination if you like and hunger to go and do it again this year. I fully believe in this group and the staff and everything we're building."
Looking ahead, Feeney believes Carlisle have everything needed to return to the Football League and continue progressing, with his new contract giving him the opportunity to play a part in that ambition.
"It needs to be a League One club minimum and then kick on again because it's got everything, it's got the fanbase, it's got the foundations to be a massive, massive beast in English football.
"Hopefully I can play a little part in that in the next few years and get people happy again."
