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Carlisle United

Odds: 25/1

Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 1 (League Two, Promoted), 2004/05 - 3 (Conference, Promoted), 2003/04 - 23 (League Two, Relegated), 2002/03 - 22 (League Two), 2001/02 - 17 (League Two).

2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup First Round vs Cheltenham Town (a) - lost 1-0. Carling Cup First Round vs Burnley (a) - lost 2-1. Football League Trophy Final (n) vs Swansea City - lost 2-1.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Karl Hawley (striker) - 26 goals.

Players In David Raven (Liverpool - Free), Kevin Gall (Yeovil Town - Free), Paul Murray (Beira Mar - Free), Luke Joyce (Wigan Athletic - Free).

Players Out Brendan McGill (Gretna - Free), Lee Andrews (Torquay United - Free).

Carlisle United experienced a remarkable 12 months which saw them storm League Two following their promotion from the Conference and a Football League Trophy final appearance which saw them narrowly lose out to League One high flyers Swansea City.

Carlisle won League Two by three points last season but were comfortably in the automatic promotion places for much of the campaign. Whether they are strong enough to compete in League One remains to be seen but they will have to do it without manager Paul Simpson, who left Brunton Park to take over at Preston.

The Cumbrians appointed Neil McDonald as their new manager and he was an assistant to Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace last season but left his post when Dowie departed for Charlton Athletic. McDonald began his coaching career at Preston North End before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2000.

McDonald made Liverpool defender David Raven his first signing for the club and the player who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Tranmere Rovers signed a two year contract. One problem McDonald may face is hanging on to striker Michael Bridges who has kick started his career at Brunton Park. Bridges scored scored 15 goals for Carlisle last season after arriving at the club last November and the Cumbrians rejected a club record £250,000 bid from League Two outfit Darlington for the player this summer. The offer came after Darlington manager David Hodgson received the financial backing of chairman George Houghton. The 27 year old Bridges began his career at Sunderland, before injury blighted spells at Leeds United, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland again and finally Bristol City.

Verdict Carlisle have performed admirably during the last two seasons but may find the step up to League One tough. If the club can hold onto Michael Bridges and last season's top goal scorer Karl Hawley they could cause a few shocks otherwise they could have a relegation battle on their hands.

About the Author

David Walker runs VCBet free bet and UK poker websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.