With Keith Curle’s future finally decided D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent Nathan Ridely gives his thoughts on what has been a hectic three and a half years in Cumbria…

Despite taking the Cumbrians from 24th to 7th in League Two in under three seasons, this current stuttering campaign – that has left Carlisle unable to make the Play-Offs – was the straw the broke the camel’s back as Keith Curle will leave the club at the end of the season.

 

Whether the former Manchester City skipper rejected a reduced-terms new contract or was simply forced out by the heavily scrutinised Board of Directors (described as “shackles” to the club by some fans and “reluctant custodians” by themselves), only time will tell.

 

Many fans have different views on the situation but here are mine…

 

To give context, the enigmatic, charismatic and pragmatic Curle took over (with a fairly poor record at previous clubs) when I was just 14 – beginning to attend matches with mates for the first time via the train. The club were sat bottom of the entire then Sky Bet Football League with 1 win in their last 22 outings in both the third and fourth divisions; having just been relegated. In short, the place was beginning to rot. So when Curle arrived to one of his press conferences with a brick and a lipstick on the desk to highlight the two sides of the game, I knew it was going to be a fun time – however long it lasted.

 

It’s difficult to say if Curle was a successful in his time with the Cumbrians as he faced different expectations each season. In his first campaign, his sole objective was to save the club from relegation, whatever the cost. He did it despite tough setbacks at times and began to create pillars and platforms for the Blues that would be utilised in the coming seasons; most notably, the significantly more professional environment surrounding the club with a lack of players who were only playing for a wage, and an influx of gentlemen who had accountability for their performances – as people began to take Carlisle seriously again.

 

Following that mission accomplished, it was time to rebuild in 2015/16 with little chance of promotion in the end. Cup runs that features matches against both top-flight Merseyside clubs away & home respectively, and the heart breaking floods ended up the biggest talking points of the up and down season (along with the iconic Mysterious Curle chant and brilliance of Jabo Ibehre who was Europe’s top goalscorer at the end of August that year).

 

When it came to the next year that was seemingly always built to be the climax of Curle’s reign, the goal was to achieve promotion at all costs. The team simply could not get it done in 2016/17 and it put pressure on Curle to succeed next time around. I was like a fair portion of fans heading into the conspicuously disappointing summer; preaching promotion or bust.

 

However, this season of 2017/18 has been turbulent to say the least. The squad was just coming together with the arrival of Clint Hill early on in the campaign but when star men Nicky Adams and Jason Kennedy, vital to the previous year, were ruled out of the remainder of the season I felt promotion was off the cards. Curle battled away, tried not to make excuses and when one minute the Play-Offs seemed totally off the cards but the next they’re well within the realms of possibility, it’s pretty difficult to ever gain consistency. Like most of his time at the club, too many draws cost Carlisle.

 

In spite of likely finishing in the top half with a depleted side, the drab football that only worked away from home by grinding out results was too much to endure. The #CurleOut brigade returned (after being briefly seen on a banner at the turn of the year) and seemed to work despite an online poll saying 64% of fans were #CurleIn. A 38% win record looks okay but with 71 wins, 68 draws and 61 losses, no fans were immune to the lacklustre tendencies Curle sides possessed by either playing too defensive or not taking hold of games.


A big criticism of Curle in the initial few years of his tenure was that he couldn’t sort the back line out despite being a former England International defender. It was always a valid point too, goals were leaking and just 4 clean sheets in last season’s campaign proved it. Although, his side could always score goals, exemplified by both the 1-1 draw at Anfield in a magical 2015 night (much thanks to Curle’s pragmatic approach in beating higher ranked sides) and the still tear-jerking 6-5 Play-Off saga with Exeter City in 2017 as the sides shared 23 goals in their four meetings.

 

This year, it’s been the opposite with the best defensive record in 10 years with 14 clean sheets as Hill had a huge impact on the team but goals were just not coming in some games where the likes of Adams and Kennedy would easily find a way to make the net bulge. That’s no discredit to the playing squad though as they have “emptied the tank” (one of Curle’s many well-used phrases) on almost every occasion and have made fans proud in respect to having a team willing to fight for the badge and not just pick up their wages riding back down South.

 

What’s next for Carlisle then?

 

Former manager Neil McDonald (a contentious figure around Brunton Park following a decent League One campaign and ambiguous departure the next) is the bookies favourite and has been seen at matches recently – much like Lee Clark who is also in the running. Former players who have managed elsewhere such as Zigor Aranalde, Michael Bridges and Matt Jansen have been mentioned too; along with the usual out-of-work suspects.

 

I’d love to see a former player try their hand but what the club needs is a bright, modern and hungry manager with youth on his side (à la Gareth Ainsworth, Darren Cowley and Nathan Jones) to take the reins with fresh ideas. The struggle, though, is that a large chunk of players are out of contract this summer so the squad could be totally different in a few weeks time which may leave a new candidate slight anxious about taking over.

 

As far as Curle is concerned, he might wait around until the new season to try his luck but with a tight-nit backroom staff and likely offers on the table (Chesterfield, MK Dons and Swindon have been rumoured), don’t be shocked to hear news soon.

 

I’d like to close by saying that Curle has given some unforgettable times to the club (and some I’ve no doubt forgotten due to his journey being so hectic). Search #cufc on Twitter and you’ll witness some of them; from Hartlepool to Liverpool, and back via the infamous “male genitalia” comment (make sure to do your research on that one). On and off the pitch he provided non-stop entertainment but ultimately, both he and the club will move on from their time together.

 

I have meet him on numerous occasions and was a pleasure to speak to with his polite and friendly nature. Many supporters have been proud to call him their manager since 2014 as he has often impressed Cumbrians with his time for them during both the good and bad times he shared with them.

 

Sentiment aside, Keith Curle has been a true gentleman in all respects at Carlisle United – as he strived for pride, professional and personality within the club in spite of his many faults. Now fans get the chance to appreciate him over the next 10 days of football this 2017/18 season has left to offer, and rejoice in what has been a mysterious time to say the least.