Carlisle United’s average gate receipts have been fallen consistently in the last five years. Even though the club had enjoyed a lot of success only recently, the last season was something to forget for Greg Abbott and his team. It was only in 2011 that they won the Football League Trophy, while they also missed out on the play-offs shortly afterwards. After a 17th place finish in the league last season, the club will be indebted the supporters according to the manager. Average attendances have fallen to just over 4000 per match from the 6000+ enjoyed only a few years ago.
Abbott has said that it is time to win the fans by playing good football over the coming season. The club’s managing director John Nixon has recently said that the falling gate attendances is a huge concern for the club at the moment. The 49-year-old has said that he may have to work within a tight budget for the new season, but that should not prevent the club from not giving their 100% in every match. The club will be starting the new campaign with a match against Leyton Orient at home on the first day. They have matches against the likes of Blackburn Rovers in the first five encounters.
“We’re going to work even harder to get off to a good start, win back the fans that have gone missing and have a successful season. I’m used to having not much money to spend in summers. I don’t want to disclose what we’ve paid for some of the players, but it is a lot lower than other clubs have been paying. What we’re getting is a group who are buying into what we want to do and a group who want to be here,” said Abbott to the BBC.