Thanks for the memories, Simmo

TOMORROW (Monday) sees Paul Simpson take up the post of Manager of Preston North End Football Club, after leaving Carlisle United Football Club this weekend. Simpson,39, joined Carlisle United as a player in 2003 under the reign of Irish Manager Roddy Collins. After a dismal start to the 2003 - 2004 season, Collins was sacked and Simpson was given the role of Manager as a caretaker, having been Manager at previous football clubs. Simpson was appointed full time Manager of Carlisle United in late 2003, engineering a turnaround in the club's failing season, from relegation certainties to the brink of safety, sadly the club was relegated to the Conference.

This was not to be a setback to Simpson and his team, as they fought throughout the season 2004 - 2005 in the Conference to the Play Off Final at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke, May 2005, in which United returned to the Football League by beating Stevenage Borough one goal to nil (Scored by Peter Murphy).

Simpson's team in Coca - Cola League Two hit the ground running - and despite a stutter in September 2005, United got their season on track with a 1-0 win over Mansfield Town at Brunton Park on October 15, followed by their biggest warning shot to all in the League: The 6-0 demolition of Stockport County at Brunton Park on October 29. The New Year saw the big scores roll in: 4-0 against Bury at Brunton Park, 5-0 at Boston, 5-0 against Chester at Brunton Park, as well as Rushden & Diamonds, finishing the cricket scores with the amazing 5-0 win over Darlington at the TFM Arena.

Nothing more can be said for United's trip to the Millennium Stadium, which was an experience, Cumbria to Cardiff and back again, all in one day. Adam Murray with United's goal that day.

The season closed with vital wins over Grimsby and Notts County, a 1-1 draw at Mansfield (Karl Hawley goal) secured promotion to League One, a 2-0 win at Rochdale made United Champions Elect, a no score draw at Stockport handing the League Two Championship to Carlisle United Football Club on the last day of the season, May 6 2006, that evening Brunton Park witnessed the presentation of the Championship trophy to the team. A moment to which I recall I was there.

Since season's end, United have signed the striker Kevin Gall, rumours abound Simpson was in the running for the managerial position at Derby County, Hull City, Preston North End. All originally batted away by Simpson and United, finally PNE FC making the breakthrough and luring Simpson away from his hometown club.

So what becomes of United as they look forward to the return of the playing staff on July third? Danny Livesey of the United defence was told the news of his Manager's departure whilst on holiday in Egypt. Who will step into the shoes of Simpson? And what of the backroom staff, Dennis Booth, Russ Richardson, even Billy Barr? So many questions, only this summer will reveal the answers.