League Two strugglers Carlisle United have announced their latest January arrival in the shape of Birmingham City defender Josh Williams. It has been a month of comings and goings at Brunton Park as they seek to avoid relegation from the EFL.
January was always going to be a pivotal month for Carlisle United in their bid to maintain Football League status, and it’s fair to say that they haven’t rested on their laurels.
The announcement of Williams took their number of recruits this month into double figures. The hierarchy have acted early and decisively as boss Mike Williamson strives to equip himself for a battle to move clear of the relegation zone.
From Ecstasy to Agony
Rewind to May 2023, Carlisle United supporters were enjoying a day out at a sun-drenched Wembley, led by club legend Paul Simpson. Additionally, there was the bonus of watching an academy graduate score the winner in the League Two play-off final. Since then though, it’s all changed in the boardroom, while on the pitch things have quickly turned sour.
The loyal fan base at the club have gone from the elation of a Wembley promotion to the scarily realistic possibility of back-to-back relegations in the blink of an eye.
The adjustment between League One and Two has proven tricky to navigate, with Carlisle United desperate to avoid a double relegation, the same fate that Forest Green Rovers succumbed to as recently as last season.
It hasn’t all been about arrivals this month for United, with their popular, combative midfielder John Mellish having been sold to Wigan Athletic. On top of this, regulars from the first half of the season Dan Adu-Adjei and Dominic Sadi were recalled by AFC Bournemouth to remedy their injury crisis.
Carlisle United Turning to Familiar Faces
A theme in the Cumbrians transfer business this month has been Mike Williamson reuniting with players he has coached before and even former teammates. To escape from his alarming current plight, he hopes to create the necessary unity as quickly as possible.
An eye-catching new arrival at Brunton Park is the vastly experienced and versatile Paul Dummett, who spent six years in the same Newcastle United defence as Williamson. The pair will be determined to avoid the same heartbreak that they suffered during their Premier League relegation back in 2016.
Mike Williamson has also been successful in his attempts to lure several former players who thrived under his management at Gateshead and MK Dons. In his relatively young managerial career, he has established an effective rapport with many players.
A trio of players that he has previously worked with have all joined the Carlisle United ranks this month. To strengthen their ailing midfield, Callum Whelan joined directly from Gateshead while Stephen Wearne will play under Williamson for a third different club.
Striker Cedwyn Scott also arrived for his second stint with the League Two outfit, returning to Brunton Park from a spell at Notts County.
These new arrivals have likely been drawn to Cumbria by the prospect of playing in a familiar system, deals that could well suit both parties.
The latest arrival, Josh Williams, didn’t play under Williamson at Gateshead but did spend the first half of the season on loan in the northeast. His new boss spoke to the club website about the huge potential of the 22-year-old.
“I’m really excited to get him in, he’s got pace and power. He’s a player who will really excite the fans with the way he plays.
“Josh is young and hungry, he fits our recruitment model perfectly.”
United for the Challenge Ahead
While there has been an upturn in performances on either side of the new year, these improvements will need to translate to points sooner rather than later.
Despite being rooted to the bottom of the EFL and with wins in desperately short supply, there is a sense of hope around Brunton Park.
Owners CastleSports Group have recently given Williamson the vote of confidence and the green light to freshen up his squad. At least the apparent togetherness at the start of 2025 provides a crumb of optimism for the battle ahead.