United’s backroom staff are about to welcome a new face with Dave Timmins due in the building imminently as the club’s new permanent goalkeeper coach.
Timmins, 52, spent a season with United in the same role during the 2008/09 campaign and has worked with manager Paul Simpson previously at Shrewsbury Town.
Vastly experienced, as well as coaching with the Blues and the Shrews he has carried out the same duties with Preston North End, Port Vale, Blackpool, Greenock Morton, Rochdale and Ayr United.
He also spent a brief spell managing Swedish side Gällivare Malmbergets FF in 2018.
“I can confirm that Dave is joining us, and he’s one who people may already know,” manager Paul Simpson said. “He’s currently at Ayr United, but I’m absolutely delighted that we’re getting him.
“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper coach and he has an incredible work ethic. He wants to put a plan in place to try and get goalkeepers for the future of the football club, not just for now.
“I know the lads will enjoy working with him. He’s got a real hunger about him.”
“We’re having to be patient because he’s still Ayr United’s goalkeeper coach at the moment, and they still need him,” he continued. “I’m hoping that by next week he’ll be in with us, but we’re just waiting to see.
“They need to find a replacement, but it’s a position that’s resolved for us. It was actually resolved within about 24 or 48 hours from when Paul Gerrard decided he didn’t want to stay, but we’ve had to be quiet about it and be patient out of respect to the situation with his current club, who have been very good about it.
“The fact is he’s their coach, so it’s only right that we’ve done it properly.”
In the meantime Simon Smith has kept things ticking over in what is an important area of the club.
“Simon has been brilliant, I’ve been so pleased with him,” the gaffer told us. “He’s got so much experience and he’s a top fella and a top coach.
“He’s been good with the guys so far, but we’re in sort of a little bit of a limbo at the moment as we wait for Dave to come in.
“Thankfully, like I say, that’s been finalised and Dave is another who knows Carlisle United from his time here before.
“He knows me, I know him, even though I’ve changed a little bit from when we worked together last time. I’ve definitely got older.
“I’m sure he’s changed a bit as well, but I am looking forward to getting him in so that we can really get stuck into the season ahead.”
On making sure that the right building blocks are in place, he commented: “Personally I just think it’s important to get good people in, and to have people who really want to drive the club forward.
“I’m here because I want to be here for the long-term and to try and build something. I think, having spoken to Dave, that’s exactly what he wants, and I know Gav wants that as well.
“We’re all in the same boat, we want to make this football club better, and the more good people you can have involved the better it is for everybody.”