Carlisle United Promotion Hero Now A Free Agent

After achieving promotion to League One via the play-offs in the 2022-23 season, Carlisle were no doubt up against it from the start when entering the third tier.

However, few would’ve expected them to have struggled just as much as they did, finishing rock bottom and picking up just seven wins and 30 points all season. It was a bitterly disappointing year for the club but they have stuck with manager Paul Simpson as they look for an immediate promotion.

Already one of the favourites for automatic promotion next term, much of that is down to the Cumbrians’ takeover by the Piatak family, who are pumping plenty of money into the club at the present. They may have not been able to save the club from relegation but the future is bright nonetheless and there’s plenty of hope now returning to the calmer waters of League Two.

The Blues have already made their first signing of the summer, that being Aaron Hayden who’d join the club earlier in the week on a free following his release from Wrexham. A former Carlisle player, Hayden will be familiar with the set-up at Brunton Park having spent two years in Cumbria between 2019 and 2021. He’s not the only former Cumbrian in the news this week, with Omari Patrick also making headlines.

On Tuesday morning, Sutton United would announce via their club website that Patrick would be leaving the U’s this summer after deciding to not take up a contract extension at the VBS Community Stadium. The winger had spent just one season with Sutton having joined from Carlisle the summer prior and would score five times in 35 appearances during his spell in South London.

His contributions would however not be enough to keep the club afloat in the EFL and as a result he’ll be moving on this summer. It’s a move which hasn’t quite worked out for the 27-year-old who only a year ago achieved cult hero status at Carlisle after scoring the equaliser against Stockport County in the play-off final. His late goal would send the game to extra-time and then penalties, with Simpson’s side emerging victorious.

It’s unknown what his next career move will be after a slightly disappointing spell with Sutton but on his day, Patrick has the potential to be one of the very best wingers in the division.

Writer’s View

As one of Sutton’s best paid players, it doesn’t come as a surprise to see Patrick not take up a contract extension with the club. Now entering what should be his prime years, he won’t want to be playing in the National League and will most likely be looking for another League Two move.

He’d show spells of brilliance with Carlisle and became a real fan favourite during his time at Brunton Park but did sometimes struggle with consistency. If able to produce those moments of brilliance on a more consistent basis then Patrick will be an asset for any League Two side and will now be a player to monitor this transfer window.

About Ivan Newsome 552 Articles
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