Exhibition will explore club's 120-year history

Carlisle United was founded in 1904, but it was another 70 years before they reached football's top flight

Carlisle United is to celebrate its 120-year history with an exhibition of fan and club memorabilia.

It will feature a permanent display of photographs, programmes, newspaper cuttings, shirts and other tokens collected by United fans over the years.

The exhibition will open at Tullie museum in July, before a tour around Cumbria to coincide with the club's 50th anniversary of promotion to the old First Division.

It is part of a wider project that has received £95,000 funding from the National Lottery.

The project will include a programme of school workshops, community wellbeing activities and youth activities.

'Heart of the community’

Carlisle United CEO Nigel Clibbens says the aim of the project, supported by Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, Cumberland Council, the University of Cumbria and Tullie museum, is to preserve the club’s legacy for future generations of Blues fans.

“The club is at the heart of the community and the life of so many people over many, many generations,” Mr Clibbens said.

“It is a very special and important institution and sharing and preserving its history and heritage will be very special.”

The exhibition, called “Be Just and Fear Not”: Celebrating Our Club and Supporting Our Community, will open at Tullie museum in July.

From October, a permanent display of objects will be on show at Brunton Park, while a pop-up version of the exhibition will tour local venues.

‘Unique’

Anna Smalley, head of collections and engagement at Tullie museum, said: "We are incredibly proud to be part of this project.

"Carlisle United is a real institution within the city and the community, and we are excited to be able to help tell their unique story.”

Helen Featherstone from the National Lottery Heritage Fund said they were "delighted" to support the project and share the club's "rich history".