Newcastle United pair sign month long loan deals
Carlisle United have today signed Newcastle United pair Macaulay Gillesphey and Alex Gilliead on short term loan deals which keeps them at Brunton Park until 11 October 2015.
Defender Gillesphey, 19, joined Newcastle from Cramlington Juniors in 2011 and signed his scholarship forms the following year.
He became a regular in the U21 side having been used at left back and centre back through an impressive period of development.
Gilliead, also 19, started his scholarship with the Magpies in 2012 having been spotted playing local football.
A fast and explosive forward, who can play wide on the left or right, he made his mark quickly by performing well in both the U18 and Reserve sides.
He represented England in the U16 Victory Shield Montaigu Tournament in France and has played for his country at all levels up to U20.
Manager Keith Curle said: ““We see this as an opportunity to improve our squad with young, hungry players who have a thirst and desire to better themselves.
“They both want to come here and test themselves outside the comfort zone of Development Squad football. It’s the next part of their progression and it will give them a chance to stake a claim to play some league football at an early age.”
“We’ve been able to see these lads and it’s one of those occasions when our location has worked in our favour,” he continued. “Where we are can be a disadvantage, when it comes to getting players to come here, but that isn’t the case with this move.
“They’re only an hour up the road, so they don’t have to leave everything behind, and from a professional point of view it’s much easier for Newcastle to keep an eye on how they’re getting on.”
“I’ve spoken to the lads, their agents and to Peter Beardsley and everyone is of the understanding that they have to earn the right to get into our team,” he said.” They’re coming over to us from a fantastic football club and they have an excellent upbringing behind them.
“We know they have ability in abundance but they’ve now got to earn the right to play their part in what is a successful team. To do that they need to buy into the environment we’ve created and show us they’re going to help us to keep pushing on.”
Both players have been given clearance to appear in the Capital One Cup competition for Carlisle United and, under the terms of the youth loan, can still play for the Newcastle United Development Squad.