Defender Sam Lavelle became summer signing number four for the club on Friday and it was clear from the moment he walked through the door that it’s a new challenge he’s looking forward to.
“It’s something that’s been in the pipeline for a few weeks now, at least,” he said. “There were things to sort out on both sides and a few things for me to weigh up personally.
“I’m so glad that it’s finally been done and I can’t wait to get going now. When you haven’t got anything sorted through the summer it’s obviously uncertain, not just football wise but lifestyle wise as well.
“You have family that you need to move, and things like that, and in this case we were down in London, so there are a lot of things to consider.
“This decision was based purely on football and hopefully I can enjoy my life outside of that at the same time. The way the club is going football wise is brilliant, so I can’t wait to get going.”
With the Blues coming into the new campaign off the back of a promotion, he told us: “That’s actually a massive part of the decision-making process.
“I watched the play-off games and the atmosphere you get here looks unbelievable, as it did at Wembley.
“I thought the gaffer spoke well after the game and things like that so from an outsider just a few weeks ago it looks a good club to be at.
“When I got the phone call to join, and the gaffer sounded keen, I was all over it really. He basically spoke to me about how he felt I’d fit in here and how much he wanted me to come.
“He talked about my qualities and how they would fit into the team, and he just promised me that I’d enjoy it. I know a few lads who have played here in the past and they all seemed to love it.
“Like I say, from the outside looking in it seems a great club to come be involved in, and the gaffer definitely helped that.”
Whilst speaking about his new acquisition the manager talked about a defender who wasn’t just about the heading and kicking side of the game.
“I like to think I bring a bit more,” he said. “I grew up at Blackburn Academy and I was actually a striker from a young age.
“I’d like to think that’s still in me somewhere as well, possibly very deep down. I’m aggressive, I do like to win all of my headers and I like to put tackles in as well.
“I will lead the team, that’s how I am, and I think I can pass the ball a bit as well. I’m looking forward to the challenge and seeing how different teams set up against us at this level, and what tactics we’ll face.
“It’s about adapting and hopefully that’ll be something we can all do.”
“I think that sort of stuff comes from my time at Blackburn,” he added. “They have a good reputation for bringing players through and even though I didn’t make it to the first team I know the stuff I learned stood me in good stead.
“The life lessons and stuff I learned on the pitch helped me when I moved on to other clubs. I think your upbringing is massive in who you are today and Blackburn played a huge part in that.
“Going to Bolton, it was a bit of a stop-start year, to be honest. I was promised different things and I signed a temporary contract which ended up being a permanent one for the season, because of the different things that were going on with their embargo at the time.
“It was weird but once again I think that shaped me a little bit mentally. It’s all experiences that are going to help you in the future, and tough times like that, and other tough times at Blackburn and Charlton, they make you stronger within yourself.
“Mentally I feel like I’ve experienced a lot, but I feel that’s a good thing in a lot of different ways.”
It was his move to the seaside and the Globe Arena that saw him take off as things clicked almost from the first moment he pulled on a Morecambe shirt.
“It was a move that just worked for some reason,” he told us. “For the first few years we were usually down there fighting for our lives against relegation.
“Derek Adams came in and we went from strength to strength. We were a bunch of very fit lads who were up for it and we all worked hard for each other.
“There were probably better teams in the league that year we got promoted but most of what we did came down to the hard work and good team spirit we had.
“I’ve seen that Carlisle certainly have that as well, especially playing against them over the years and with what players who have been here have told me. Everybody says what a nice club it is.”
But how did a relatively young lad end up captaining a team to promotion?
“I’ve always been a leader growing up and I was always captain of the different age groups I played in through the academies,” he explained. “I think it’s just a characteristic that I have really, I like to do the stuff outside of football which is expected from a captain, and on the pitch I like to lead and be vocal.
“I think that’s a massive part of the game and sometimes with young lads who come through I don’t think they get taught that enough. When Derek Adams came into Morecambe I think he just saw those qualities in me and I thrived on it, and ended up playing better for it as well.
“I really enjoyed my time at Morecambe and I’ve had a few messages from their fans hoping I was going to go back there. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Morecambe, they kick-started my career and the fans are unbelievable.
“I probably had the best moment of my career there when we got promoted and I was captain. Maybe one day I might go back there.”
“I’m 26 now and I’ve played over 200 games, so I think as you get older you learn that even when things don’t go as well as you hope it’s all experience for you,” he continued. “Even if you aren’t in the team then it will help you in some way, even though you maybe can’t see it at the time.
“Even if it’s just a case of knowing how to deal with it when it happens again, which it will in football. You obviously don’t want to get injuries and things like that, but I do think you learn things when you are injured, and once you get older you can take a step back and see that a bit more.”
And we wondered if the move to a new club brings with it the feeling of still having something to prove.
“I do feel like I still have things to prove, especially in League One,” he said. “I had a bit of a stop-start time at Charlton and I was in and out, especially during the last year.
“During my first year there I was in the team but then picked up a couple of injuries, which was frustrating.
“I do feel like I’ve got a lot to prove at League One level but the thought of driving a team forward, which is what the manager wants me to do, and competing at the top end of the league is something which excites me.
“I think it helps to have already played at this level, so I know what to expect. I’ve got experience at this level and below, as well as experience working with young lads, so I can hopefully help them as well. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
There’s no doubt that he’s coming into a building that has its own buzz about it following what was a magnificent season.
“Whenever any team gets promoted there’s always a feel-good factor around the place, and I can feel it here straight away even though I’ve only just signed,” he told us.
“I’m looking forward to getting going and meeting the lads, and hopefully being part of a new era for Carlisle.
“I’ve had a long journey up, but I don’t mind playing in the Annan game tonight at all. I’m glad to get everything sorted so early in the window so I’ve got a bit of time to settle in before the first game of the season. I’m just looking forward to getting going now.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenge and proving different things to different people, but mostly to myself.
“It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to and the thought of competing in League One against some massive clubs is exciting. Hopefully I can be a big part of a new era for Carlisle.
“I think all fans expect players to give everything on the pitch and they’ll get nothing less than 120% from me, on and off the pitch.
“I work hard and put it all in and the fans can expect me to leave everything out on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon.”