It was a busy night for the Carlisle United academy as they welcomed their sponsors and two members of the first team playing squad to their Tuesday night session.
Main academy sponsor Solar Maintenance Services, as well as back of shirt sponsors Armstrong Watson (U11s), Kingmoor Park (U12s), CUOSC (U15s) and Building Tec (U16s), and academy supporters CUSC London Branch, were invited to a presentation from Lead Youth Development Phase Coach Chris Blake before going out to watch the players in action.
Midfielders Jamie Devitt and Reggie Lambe were also present, with the lads speaking to all age groups to give them advice on what they felt was needed to make it as a professional footballer.
Chris Blake said: "The support we receive from our sponsors is greatly appreciated and we wanted to invite them along this evening so we could let them see the work we're doing, as well as give them information on how we operate the academy and what our plans are going forward.
"It was important for us to invite the sponsors down so they could watch training, as well as strengthening the links between the players and those companies and individuals who do support us.
"Our young lads always enjoy seeing first team players at training, and we believe these experiences are a crucial part of the journey for those individuals coming through our academy system. The first team lads always give some good advice and it's good for our young players to hear it from a professional, which is ultimately where they want to be."
Midfielder Jamie Devitt said: "These appearances are always enjoyable because the young lads are interested in what we have to say and in any advice we can give them.
"They asked some good questions, and we hope a few of our 'words of wisdom' will help them as they continue on their journey through the club's academy."