Former-Bantam Danny Devine was another to confirm this week that he was sold on making the move across the A66 to join the Blues following some positive conversations with his new manager.
“I’ve only heard good things about the club and he really sold it to me,” he said. “He wants to make a push for promotion and for us to finish as high as we can, which is what you want to hear. It was a no-brainer really.
“I know a few of the lads who are here, and I spoke to Omari [Patrick] about it, and he also had only good things to say about the place.
“He said it’s brilliant and he’s obviously done well since he came. He told me that the gaffer lets you go out and express yourself and he had a lot of positives to talk about when it comes to how things are done. It made the decision even easier listening to that.”
And the length of the deal demonstrates a certain amount of faith that boss Chris Beech has in his latest acquisition.
“I definitely want to repay that, and that’s why I can’t wait to get going,” he commented. “It’s been a longer break than we thought it would be so hopefully when the season kicks off I can repay the faith he’s shown in me.
“It’s been a bit stop-start for me these last few years so I’m hoping this is the season for me where I can get a good run under my belt and really kick on.
“It’s a fresh start for me at a new club and hopefully I’ll have a good year, the team will have a good year and we can push on and maybe get that promotion we’re all talking about.”
Having played all of his football at Bradford, including as a youngster coming through the ranks, he said: “It does feel a little bit strange to be leaving them because I’ve only ever known Bradford.
“This is the first time I’ve had to move, but I’m sure I’ll cope with it. The move has come at the right time, to be honest. It needed to happen for me to go and play my football elsewhere.
“There is a feeling that I’ve got something to prove because, as I said earlier, I haven’t had as many games as I would have hoped over the last year or two.
“I want this to be the year where I prove what I can do here with Carlisle.”
Having trained with the group for a number of sessions now, he told us: “From what I’ve seen we’ve already got a very good squad.
“It’s a group that’s young, hungry, and we’re all passionate about what we want. We want to show everybody in the league that they should be scared of us.
“I’m looking forward to being part of it. The way I play should suit what the manager wants because I just keep things simple really.
“I like to get the ball, pass it, act as a link-up and make sure I put the tackles in. I like to get between boxes and hopefully I’ll add a few goals to my game.
“I’ve done ok with working on my fitness to make sure I’m ready for this challenge, even though the lockdown did go on for longer than I thought it would.
“It is hard to do the work on your own, it’s always easier when you’ve got others around you who push you on, but I think I’m in a good place.
“It’s just good to be back and I can’t wait to get going. This is the next challenge for me in my career and, like I say, I’m sure I’m up to it.”
Click HERE to watch an interview with Danny Devine on iFollow United now.
Click HERE to see a clip from this interview on our YouTube channel. Follow the same link for more FREE content right from the heart of the club.