Last updated 09:13, Saturday, 03 May 2008

Whatever happens at Brunton Park today, this has been a tremendous season for Carlisle United.

United go into the final match of the League campaign with a chance of automatic promotion to the Championship, the level they last played at way back in 1986.

And yet a cloud of despondency has accompanied many supporters during the past couple of weeks as their side has stumbled with the finishing line in sight.

Fans become quickly accustomed to success. It is easy to forget how far and how fast Carlisle have come. Just four years ago the club plunged into the Conference, with no guarantee it would ever return to the Football League.

Today Carlisle could join the likes of Derby County and Wolves in English football’s second tier. Even if they do not make it this afternoon, the play-offs beckon. A few weeks of disappointing results should not obscure four years of remarkable progress, on and off the field.

The most disappointing thing about this season has been the level of home support. Fewer fans than last year have come through Brunton Park’s turnstiles, prompting concerns that Carlisle could not sustain a Championship club.

The people of Cumbria have the chance to ease those doubts and help their team achieve a remarkable third promotion in four seasons. Well done Carlisle United, and good luck.