Cheshire-based teacher Craig Milne likes to give his pupils a day to remember – so he brings them on a 260-mile round trip to watch Carlisle.
And the lifelong Blues fan reckons they love it.
Craig, who teaches IT at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy in Runcorn, organises the jaunts once a year under United’s Community Ticket Scheme, where the kids receive free tickets.
He said: “They love football and are always talking about Liverpool, Everton or Manchester United. They watch them on TV but don’t get the opportunity to go to games because it is so expensive.
“I have organised a trip up to Carlisle the last couple of years and they have really enjoyed it. They have met players, had a look around the ground and even bought strips in the club shop.”
It went down so well last season the pupils uploaded a video of their experience on YouTube and have persuaded Craig to bring them back for more.
CUOSC member, Craig is planning to bring that group of 14 to the Grimsby game on Saturday (March 3) and then follow it up by bringing 44 pupils, aged 11-15, to the Cambridge match on March 24.
He explained: “Fourteen lads are in their last year at college and have watched Carlisle twice before under the community scheme. They have even got CUOSC membership cards. They want to do it again before they leave and, this time, pay for themselves.
“Then I’m bringing a bus load to the Cambridge match under the Community Ticket Scheme. The club are very helpful and try to make it a good day out.”
Craig, 46, was born in Carlisle but moved to Cheshire 15 years ago. He added: “I have a Carlisle crest in my classroom so the pupils are always talking to me about the city. All I want to do is make their day special and give them something to remember.”
CUOSC will be sponsoring the match ball against Grimsby. Don’t forget we will also be holding one of our regular supporters’ surgeries before the game. It will be held in the Study Centre, next to the Blues Store, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm and gives fans the opportunity to ask questions of their representatives, or sign up for membership.