Love Football, Protect The Game: Please stay OFF the pitch this weekend

As we approach the closing stages of what has been a very exciting League Two season everyone at Carlisle United has been hugely grateful for your support from the stands and terraces this season, and the noise and atmosphere you create is a fundamental part of what makes our club what it is.

As you have heard a number of times, Paul Simpson, his staff and his players are hugely appreciative of the fantastic support you have given us.

As we reach this final stage of the season we must remind you in the interests of safety for everyone inside our stadium that the pitch is for managers, players and match officials, and we respectfully ask you not to encroach in any way.

We are under the spotlight with both play-off games televised, and we want to be remembered and talked about for all the right reasons.

Please stay OFF the pitch at all times so that everybody can enjoy the games and get the chance to say thank you to the players for their efforts.

At the end of last season, some clubs witnessed unsavoury and unwelcome scenes with a small minority of people entering the field of play whilst other fans took to the pitch in celebratory mood.

Pitch incursions are dangerous and anyone who does encroach onto the playing surface will face strong sanctions that could include a ban from attending matches here at Brunton Park and across the country, and may also bring police action.

It is a criminal offence to enter the pitch and the real-life consequences for these actions have been felt by many, with some fans receiving criminal records which can impact directly on employment, education prospects and international travel.

It is not only yourself that can be disciplined. There could also be an impact on your family members and on us a club, as face sanctions for not controlling our event.

Our plea to you is to keep the pitch for players and the stands for spectators, and avoid any unnecessary disruption, and allow the players the opportunity they want to come back out after the final whistle and share a few moments with everyone.

Love Football, Protect the Game.

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