Key cup dates confirmed for Carlisle United
Two key cup dates for Carlisle United in the 2025/26 season have been confirmed.
The Blues now know when they will begin their campaigns in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
Relegation to the National League means United will enter the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round, rather than the first round proper which applies to clubs in Leagues One and Two.
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The date for the fourth qualifying round in 2025/26 is Saturday, October 11, when United will be aiming to reach the November 1 first round.
Fans queue in the rain to buy Carlisle United's new home kit
United's drop into non-league also means they will compete in the FA Trophy for only the second time in their history.
National League sides join that competition at the third round stage, with the date for those fixtures being Saturday, December 13.
Carlisle's only previous run in the FA Trophy saw them reach the fifth round in 2004/05 before defeat to Woking, pictured (Image: Max Flego)
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The prospect of a Wembley final is open to United should they go all the way in the Trophy.
Further round dates in that competition are:
Fourth Round Proper - Saturday, January 10
Fifth Round Proper - Saturday, January 31
Sixth Round Proper - Saturday, February 28
Semi-final - Saturday, March 28
Final - Sunday, May 17
Carlisle last played in the Trophy in the 2004/05 season, when Paul Simpson's side reached the fifth round before being knocked out by Woking.
That season - until now their only previous campaign in the fifth tier - they also progressed to the second round proper of the FA Cup before losing to AFC Bournemouth.
Fixtures for the league season are released on Wednesday, July 9, a month before the league programme kicks off on Saturday, August 9.
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The repeat narrative is becoming tiresome and concerning for supporters. 'Newcastle United have missed out on [INSERT NAME OF ANY OF THEIR TARGETS]' has been the theme of the summer. Dean Huijsen, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo and now, perhaps most worrying of all, Joao Pedro. So why have the club been unable to conclude a deal? Is it to do with PSR (the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules) constraints? Are they spending too long pursuing players who do not want to move to them? Do they have a coherent strategy? The departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell after less than a year at the club has not helped ease the angst. The Athletic looks at the four examples and analyses why Newcastle's window has unfolded in frustrating fashion — and what to expect next. Of the players Newcastle have 'failed' to sign, Huijsen moving to Real Madrid from Bournemouth rightly generated the least hysteria. 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The Cameroon international scored 20 and assisted a further seven in the Premier League last season. Coupled with his top-flight experience and ability to provide cover through the middle, it led to confidence he would have an immediate impact by displacing Jacob Murphy or pushing the right winger to new heights. Advertisement Price was always a concern, however, given Mbeumo is 25. He is entering his prime but is a couple of years above the ideal age Newcastle would usually recruit from. At around £50m, they would have been keen to do a deal, though Brentford are seemingly holding out for more than £60m. In the end, Newcastle did not even get to a club-to-club negotiating stage because Mbeumo indicated a preference to join Manchester United in late May. At that stage, Newcastle shifted on to alternative right-wing options, recognising that they should not repeat the month-long and futile pursuit of a target, as occurred with Palace centre-back Marc Guehi last August. 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Those inside Newcastle contend this was not clear all along and that, initially, Joao Pedro's camp had suggested he was receptive to a transfer to Tyneside. Then, around a fortnight ago, his preference for London emerged, while there have been suggestions, according to sources who were speaking anonymously to protect relationships, he was stung by the manner in which Newcastle pulled out of negotiations to acquire him from Watford in 2022. That is when they pivoted towards signing Isak. Regardless, Newcastle pulled out of negotiations shortly before Chelsea reached an agreement and they have been forced to re-evaluate once more. While there is an insistence they have alternatives to Joao Pedro, the list is said to be small. Although the frustration of supporters is shared internally, there is no sense of panic — which is unlikely to pacify fans understandably impatient for additions following three successive windows without a first-XI signing. Howe is restless for additions, too, and would prefer to be welcoming new players for pre-season training when it begins on Monday. The expectation inside Newcastle is that the market will heat up once players return to their clubs for pre-season — and the hope is that an initial signing with generate momentum for others to follow. Advertisement A goalkeeper, centre-back, right-winger and versatile forward are still wanted. James Trafford is the top goalkeeper target and, while talks continue with Burnley, Newcastle are yet to reach a fee, even if those around the deal have always presented a confidence it will get done. At right wing, Newcastle never strongly pursued Antoine Semenyo due to his valuation, even before the Ghana forward signed a contract extension at Bournemouth. Their interest in Elanga remains, however, following an initial £45m bid being rejected. Guehi is still on their wanted list, too, although there are alternative centre-back options. Where Newcastle turn next, if anywhere at all, in their hunt for a forward is unclear. A first senior signing would help everyone, inside and outside of the club, settle down. There is internal confidence it will come — even if Newcastle are operating without a sporting director following Mitchell's exit on Monday — but, until it does, supporter apprehension will only grow.
