The Brunton Bugle - A Carlisle United Podcast

There's just a few days to go until the start of the new campaign, so it's time for our Season Preview episode! This time of course, we are going into a bit of the unknown, as United play in the National League for the first time in 20 years - so long ago, that it wasn't even called the National League back then! In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we chat about some of the main contenders for p...

After enjoying a month off, the Bugle is back to discuss what's been happening at Brunton Park during pre-season as the Blues get ready for their first season at National League level in 20 years. Can Mark Hughes repeat what Paul Simpson did back in 2005, and get his side back into the league at the first attempt? It's certainly been a busy month in July, with comings and goings at Brunton Park an...

It's been a few weeks since we last record, but it's certainly been a busy one for the Blues despite the season being over and the players having only just returned to pre-season training this week - signings, departures, staff appointments and the internal review - lots to cover! In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, Lee is joined by Dan and Nick - it's the last episode of the 24/25 season so we'...

It's been a while, but we're finally back with a post-season news round-up - and there's plenty to cover in this episode. The big news of course was the confirmation that Mark Hughes would remain in the hotseat for United's first season at National League level in 20 years - can he build on the decent home-form at the end of the campaign and get United back to the EFL at the first attempt? Lots of...

United brought their current spell in the EFL to an end last weekend with a valiant 2-2 draw against Salford City - a result that ruined the Ammies hopes of a play-off place. A solid end to a fairly wretched campaign for the Blues - with non-league football on the horizon for next season, what lies next for the club? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we chat about the final day draw and discus...

All roads lead to Truro next season, as United's relegation to the National League is confirmed by defeat at Cheltenham. A miserable campaign ending on a damp squib after just the slightest ray of hope in the last few weeks. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we discuss the 3-2 loss to the Robins, some initial reaction to relegation and look ahead to a fairly pointless final day of the season a...

Almost a perfect Easter for the Blues, but despite dropping two points Accrington after a superb win over table-toppers Port Vale, they are still (just about) in the relegation battle. Can Sparky still pull off the Greatest of all Great Escapes? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we chat about the win over the Valiants and the draw with Stanley, before previewing the final away game of the seas...

So, Adam comes back on the pod and United finally end the 99-game wait for two wins in a row... surely not a co-incidence? Either way, a big result for the Blues in the battle to avoid the drop - can they pull off the most incredible of miracles and beat relegation? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we review the 2-0 win over Morecambe and look ahead to the Easter Weekend double-header against...

Adam returns to the pod after a three-month absence and what a game to return on - the Blues come from two down for the first time in a decade to secure a vital three points and keep survival hopes alive. Can they pull off the Greatest of Escapes? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we review the 3-2 win over Newport, before previewing a huge clash at Morecambe - plenty covered including: 📰 New...

Better late than never, as they say, for this week's pod... though with the two results we have to talk about, maybe never would have been a better option? Defeats to Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield leave United teetering on the edge of falling into non-league football - it's a must win-game this weekend, so can they perform a minor miracle and get all three points against Newport County? In thi...

Two wins in a row continues to elude United, but a hard-earned point after coming from behind twice against MK Dons shows the fighting spirit remains - can they keep the unbeaten run going and get two positives results from tough away games at Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield and keep alive the fight to stay in the EFL? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the 2-2 draw against th...

The predictable Harry McKirdy goal arrived, but United still ran out winners, with a much-improved performance leading to a 2-1 victory against Bromley. Can this finally be the catalyst to a Great Escape? Only if they can follow it up with consecutive league wins for the first time in 94 games. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the 2-1 win against the Ravens, before previewing...

Another defeat for United leaves them nine points adrift of safety with ten games to go - is relegation as good as sorted, or is everyone throwing the towel in a bit too easily? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, Lee is joined by guest host Nick to review the 2-1 loss to AFC Wimbledon, before looking ahead to this weekend's huge clash with Bromley at Brunton Park - lots discussed including: 📰...

Death, taxes and... Carlisle United failing to beat Harrogate Town. Three certainties we can all expect in life. The Hoodoo continues as United are done by a late own-goal - can the Great Escape get back on track this weekend at Brunton Park, or will it be the opening notes of The Last Post that ring out on a disastrous campaign. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the 1-0 loss i...

It's now four-games unbeaten for United as they pick up a hard-earned draw against table-toppers Walsall at Brunton Park - is the Great Escape Mk 258 on, or will the Harrogate-hoodoo put an end to the momentum built over the last few weeks? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the draw against the Saddlers before looking ahead to this weekend's trip to North Yorkshire - plenty cov...

Barrow feel the Breeze as United get a a 1-0 win over their Cumbrian rivals thanks to Gabe's clean sheet and a first goal for the club for Matt Dennis - can they now end the 90-game wait and get a second win in a row against Walsall in midweek? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the win at Holker Street and look ahead to a huge clash with the table-topping Saddlers - plenty cove...

Two games unbeaten for the Blues, but it's another bore-draw as Mark Hughes still searches for his first win in-charge of the club. Is it another step in the right direction, or are three points more important than marginal gains right now?. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, Lee is joined by guest host Nick to review the draw with Gillingham, before looking ahead to the Thursday night trip dow...

Dan returns to the pod, United end their losing streak - surely no coincidence? Well hopefully it'll help this week too, as Dan is back again and United are aiming to get their first win in five games as Gillingham travel up to Brunton Park, following the stalemate against Colchester last weekend. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the draw against the U's and look ahead to the...

The prodigal son returns! Yes, for the first time in quite a while, Dan is back on the pod... but unfortunately, there's not much positive to talk about as United slump to two consecutive defeats on the road to start the Mark Hughes reign. Can Sparky turn things around, or are the Blues doomed for the drop? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the losses at Grimsby and Newport and...

Yes, you aren't mistaken - this is a very short episode of the Brunton Bugle! Unfortunately, Mike has been struck down by a bug after the Grimsby game and has lost his voice. With no time to arrange a replacement, rather than letting an already arranged Behind Enemy Lines recording go to waste, we're bringing you a very truncated "mini-preview" episode. Lee spoke to Ed from the excellent 1912 Exil...

The appointment has been made and Mark Hughes is the man given the task of keeping the Blues in League Two. Can the Welsh football legend keep United up, or is the task just too big? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, Lee is joined by guest host Nick to discuss Sparky's appointment, before looking ahead to the weekend trip to Grimsby - lots discussed including: 🧑‍💼 Mark Hughes appointed 🔍 Aw...

EMERGENCY POD! Yes, the news we've all been expecting was confirmed on Monday morning, as Mike Williamson was relieved of his duties as Blues boss following the shambolic 5-1 home loss to Swindon Town. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, Lee is joined by guest host Nick to look back on Williamson's time as Blues boss, chat about what went wrong and look ahead to who might be in the frame to repl...

United's 84-game wait for consecutive league wins continues, but plenty of encouraging signs in the defeat at promotion-chasing Notts County - but are bits of improvement enough or are we running out of time and need results? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the loss at the Magpies and look ahead to a huge weekend clash with Swindon Town - plenty covered including: 📰 News rou...

United get their first win of 2025 and it's a big three points against Pete Child's Fleetwood Town side - can Sam Lavelle's late winner be the catalyst for another Great Escape by the Blues? In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, we look back on the win over the Cod Army and look ahead to midweek trip south to face Notts County - plenty covered including: 🤝 Latest Transfer Window round-up 🐟 Fleet...

New players, same old story... another encouraging start is quickly nipped in the bud as United slumped to yet another defeat, this time handing Bradford their first win in Cumbria in almost 40 years. In this episode of the Brunton Bugle, Lee is joined by guest host Nick to review the loss to the Bantams, before looking ahead to the weekend trip to Fleetwood - lots discussed including: 🤝 Latest t...