2022 Retained List - Out Now

Mark Howard on his Instagram Story just now:

Very surprised to see Howard not offered a deal, clearly Simmo believes we can do better.

Westwood to return?

If money is tight he would have been worth another 6 or 12 months. We must have someone lined up.
Played very well for us, a big part in us staying up, best of luck for the future Mark Howard, your contribution was much appreciated

Charters, Dickenson, Norman and Riley offered deals!

Norman is a massive surprise.

I’m assuming Simmo has gone off Paul Gerrard’s advice and sees something in him.

Howard is one of the biggest reasons we're not in Scunthorpe or Oldhams position now.
Shame as he was exactly what we've needed for a long while, bit of experience and a calming influence at the back.

Guessing Simpson has someone else in mind or that Norman is a competent enough replacement


Is Riley the one Simmo was talking about being tapped up maybe?

No, its Mcdonald that has been tapped up.
Basically left the club last Monday.

If it was McDonald then I’m glad he got tapped up.

Norman must have improved markedly if he is ready to play, unless he has been offered a low deal to stay as number 2. He was mince last year, then didn't play for months, difficult to see where the improvement has come from. Dickinson presumably offered reduced terms, I hope we have a left midfielder coming in, in front of him, I didn't see anything from him to show he was good enough for this level.
Riley is a decent enough call, he can do much more, IMO.

Not the sharpest tool in the box then our Rod...
Anyone more mobile would be an upgrade anyway..he was horrific at times this season.

Quoted from crunchblue on Monday, 09 May 2025

If it was McDonald then I’m glad he got tapped up.

It was.
And from what I'm told, didn't even turn up for the awards night last night.

Manager Paul Simpson, meanwhile, has released eight players, with player of the season Howard heading out of the club along with Lewis Alessandra, Danny Devine, Jamie Devitt, Manasse Mampala, Rod McDonald, Kelvin Mellor and Gime Toure also leaving.

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/20124619.carlisle-united-reveal-decisions-players-including-joe-riley-jamie-devitt-mark-howard/


Howard and Norman are the surprises, I would say. I would also expect that Whelan and Abrahams are available for free.

Shout out to Beech. Abrahams and Mampala out on loan, Clough gone and Whelan not getting his game. Cheers Chris, topping

In recent years the released list has often been the highlight of the season, seeing who we won't have to put up with again.

I’m in the minority here, but I’m neither surprised or particularly disappointed about Howard. Don’t get me wrong, he did a job and was a big part of some of our better results - but I don’t see him as being anything better than a decent league 2 keeper at this point. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was on a decent wage too.

Not too surprised about anything on that list - Dickenson may not have had the best of seasons but he’s strong and reasonably quick, and there’s clearly a player in there. Perhaps in a side that’s getting results his contribution will be more noticeable. Pleased that Riley has an offer, expected him to be off elsewhere. Wonder if preseason is a test for Devitt’s fitness?

I wonder if Simpson has told any of the under contract players that they're not in his plans and should look for moves elsewhere. I can't see Abrahams having a future here particularly.

Almost certainly a test for Devitt.
I'd say he's been given a fitness plan already and if he shows up at preseason looking like he's followed it and his body hasnt given in he'll get an offer...
Probably best for both parties, gives him an option if he's willing to graft at it and still leaves the door open for something more certain for him if it came along in the meantime and we've not got anyone better in.

I’d like to think we’ll be looking to extend Feeney’s more long term, but it’s good to have him tied down for another year anyway.

Looking at the list of players already contracted, it would be nice if we could move 2 or 3 of them on.

Can’t really argue with that. Devitt door open if he can prove his fitness pre season. Howard if you are looking long term to build a winning team you can probably look to develop a younger goalkeeper. Does that mean Gerrard will be coming in as permanent goalkeeping coach as otherwise you’d think Howard might have been kept as player/coach. Looks like MacDonald would have been offered a contract if he hadn’t been tapped up. I’m glad he was tapped up in that case as a liability how he got joint player of the season I’ll never know.

Hopefully, Charters, Norman, Dickenson and more importantly Riley will sign up soon to show they are committed unlike the will they won’t they from previous season. Hopefully in Simmo’s conversations with them they’ve strongly indicated they would stay if offered contracts and he has them and not MacDonald (who he originally intended to). As I said “out sick� is a cover all.

Surprised knowing he was releasing Howard Simmo didn’t give Norman a game v Bradford

A little surprised Howard didn`t get offered a contract but i think he was hesitant over signing a1 year deal last season.
Perhaps he just wants a club closer to home.

It wouldn't surprise me if none of the players offered the new deals will sign them as I guess they will all be on reduced terms.

Simmo will look to bring in a new starting 11 with probably only Feeney out of the current contracted players getting in the starting team!

Westwood is 38 in October so even older than Howard so can’t see him as an option

Quoted from Sammy Taylor on Monday, 09 May 2025

A little surprised Howard didn`t get offered a contract but i think he was hesitant over signing a1 year deal last season.
Perhaps he just wants a club closer to home.

He said at the awards last night that he’s looking for a 2 year deal. He’d hoped it would be here but didn’t know.

Quoted from redders71 on Monday, 09 May 2025

It wouldn't surprise me if none of the players offered the new deals will sign them as I guess they will all be on reduced terms.

DH has left eh! They’ll have proper offers!

Quoted from triskelionblue on Monday, 09 May 2025

Westwood is 38 in October so even older than Howard so can’t see him as an option

He's injured a fair bit nowdays and that takes it's toll at 38/39 wouldn't be surprised if he threw the towel in this summer...