We spoke to forward Regan Linney shortly after he signed for the Blues.
Speaking to CUTV about how excited he was to be at Brunton Park, he said: “It's a special feeling. Obviously, when I heard Carlisle were interested in me, it's a big thing.
“The fans, the club, it's massive. I'm really delighted to be here.”
On what made this the right challenge for him, he said: “It's how big the club is. Obviously, the gaffer as well. Mark Hughes as gaffer, it's obviously massive. It'll pull a lot of players to the club. Mark Hughes is a massive name and, obviously, if I can learn one or two things off him, then I'll be grateful.
“But it was also the fan base, the club, everything around the place, and it works for me location-wise as well. So, everything comes hand-in-hand, really, and I'm really delighted to be here.”
Having worked with Marc Tierney last season, we asked if he had played a big part in getting the move done, Regan said: “He's made it easier, hasn't he? He's made it a lot easier. Marc's a good guy. “
Having scored 25 goals last season and being named in the National League Team of the Season, Regan said: “It's obviously a big achievement. I really enjoyed my time at Altrincham, so I just want to say that as well. Thank you to them, especially the gaffer there as well, Phil Parkinson.
“I was at FC United, leagues below this and he's given me the opportunity to go into full-time football and progress my career on. So, I'm really grateful for him and, obviously, Altrincham as a club as well. But, it's time for a new challenge.
“I'm ready for a new challenge now and, obviously, Carlisle have come along and what I want to help now is get the team back in the Football League. It's time to hopefully kick on and get this club back where it belongs.”
On his career so far, he said: “I was at Bamber Bridge. I started there at 17 after being released from Preston. I ended up going to FC United after a few years and did well there towards the end of that. Then I obviously ended up at Altrincham and here I am now.”
We then asked the new man to describe himself as a player: “I wear my heart on my sleeve. I work extremely hard. Obviously, scoring goals is massive for a striker. That's what you're paid to do. So I do that, and I'm very direct. I can also play out wide if needed. I just love playing in front of fans.
“Fan bases are massive for me because that's what I play football to do. To play in front of fans and make people smile. So, that was a massive pull for me as well.”
He continued: “I've accepted the challenge here. There was, obviously, interest from Football League clubs but I love a challenge.
“The aim, like I've said a few times now, is to get this club back where it belongs. This is a Football League club and it should be there. So, it's time to obviously get the hard work started and get ready to go.”
