Following the success of Backing The Blues: 120 Years of Carlisle United at Tullie, Backing The Blues: On The Road is a series of touring exhibitions and installations taking place in community venues and historic buildings throughout Carlisle.
Curated by the Carlisle United Collective, the tour provides new opportunities to showcase the rich heritage of the club. Due to popular demand, many of these exhibitions have been extended until 31 March 2025.
At the Brunton Park ticket office, the former trophy cabinet from the west stand boardroom has been repurposed as a revolving exhibition space.
Botcherby Community Centre celebrates local hero Kevin Beattie, and includes a ‘stained glass window’ featuring supporters from the Warwick Road End from the early 1990’s.
The Warwick Road Bed Centre presents a reconstruction of a children’s bedroom, complete with player posters from the archive, action photographs courtesy of photographer Barbara Abbott, and the obligatory CUFC duvet and pillow set.
The Kings Head pub celebrates the 1994/95 Third Division Championship season, with former Chairman Michael Knighton replacing Charles II as the new pub sign, through the proclamation ‘Knighton The Next King of England’ as seen inside the pub.
Opposite Romano Pizza in The Market Hall, the 1972 Anglo Italian Cup is commemorated with photographs of gifts presented to Carlisle United from the mighty AS Roma.
At Carlisle Cathedral (until 9 March), the relationship between religion and football is explored through ideas of belief, belonging and devotion, including ‘The Miracle of Brunton Park’ and that goal in May 1999.
Currock Community Centre (until 9 March) showcases the homegrown talent that has emerged through the club’s youth development programme, featuring previously unseen images from the Cumberland News Archive.
And Carlisle Archive Centre (10 March – 31 March) will host an exhibition of CUFC programmes through the decades, featuring iconic graphic design and memorable matches.
All exhibitions are free. Times vary.
