‘A great addition to any side’ – Plenty of fans react as Carlisle United bag 31-year-old

Carlisle United’s summer of recruitment continues with the capture of former Stevenage keeper Paul Farman. 

The 31-year-old signs a one-year deal at Brunton Park, becoming their tenth capture of a busy window for manager Chris Beech. He has spent the last two years with the Hertfordshire outfit but made his name with Lincoln City.

Farman began his career as a youngster with his beloved Newcastle United, before going out on loan to the likes of Blyth Spartans and Washington. He signed for another north east side, Gateshead, in 2009 where he spent three years. That stint included a loan spell with then-National League outfit Lincoln City, a club he joined permanently in 2012.

He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Imps, helping them to the fifth-tier title in 2016/17. he was also a key part of their historic cup run, earning a Man of the Match award in the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. In addition, he was awarded the Supporter’s Player of the Season award in 2015. He found himself on the fringes of the Imps’ setup after their promotion and was released at the end of their play-off campaign in 2017/18, joining Stevenage on a two-year deal.

“In terms of stats, last season he was right up there with the best,” said Carlisle manager Beech.

“He made the most overall saves across the top four tiers and also achieved the most close-range saves in League Two. He also kept 10 clean sheets for Stevenage and, again, that’s good going given where they ultimately finished.

“We always needed to add a further goalkeeper to the group and Paul brings with him those complementary assets and traits we want to support and push Magnus [Norman] and vice versa.”

The move has prompted players, such as current Lincoln keeper Ethan Ross and former Brunton Park favourite Tom Miller, fans of his former clubs and those of the Cumbrians to praise the deal, which seems universally popular.

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