On October 29, the Blues hammered Stockport County 6-0 at Brunton Park. Two weeks later, on the other side of an FA Cup exit at Cheltenham Town, Paul Simpson’s side won a hectic game at Torquay United 4-3.
Karl Hawley scored hat-tricks in both: the first Blues player to net back-to-back league trebles since the great Jimmy McConnell in 1930. United were sitting nicely in fifth place in League Two having bounced back from the Conference the previous campaign.
So what did Carlisle in this position go and do? Sign another striker. And not just any striker.
UNITED SIGN £5M STRIKER declared the front of the News & Star on November 15, with that hefty amount highlighted in red for good measure. No, Carlisle had not lashed out that incredible amount themselves. But their new man had been traded for such a fee before.
Guess who? Carlisle's new star signing was reported by the News & Star (Image: News & Star)
The “ex-Leeds and Sunderland ace heading for Carlisle” was none other than Michael Bridges, the former Premier League star whose career had been derailed somewhat by injuries. Bridges was now on the books of Bristol City but had not enjoyed a greatly successful time at Ashton Gate, and just four months into his time there was up for grabs again.
In swooped United. Helped by the arm-twisting presence of his former Sunderland colleague Chris Lumsdon, who was now in Carlisle’s midfield, Simpson made his move. A loan deal was struck and, rather remarkably, Bridges was a Carlisle player until the turn of the year at least.
Carlisle’s League Two campaign, which was already on a bright and positive course, now had the potential for some serious stardust. Bridges, for his part, said he had no reservations about heading to the fourth tier in a bid to reignite his career.
First up in his new surroundings was a reserve game at Blackpool. Then Bridges could settle in. “It’s been an up and down career for me, but I want to play regular football again and hopefully I can do well to help Carlisle,” the new signing told the News & Star.
Bridges in action during a reserve game at Blackpool soon after joining Carlisle (Image: Blackpool Gazette)
“I know I can get goals and that will be the main objective, but I’ve a footballing brain and I can play in a few positions. This is another chance of football, and that is all I want.”
Bridges was plainly not just passing through given that, in the next breath, he was suggesting a permanent move “could be on the cards if everything goes well”. He had reportedly turned down interest from Darlington in order to take his chances with United.
Manager Simpson admitted it was a “big move” for Bridges to decide to drop to League Two, yet was convinced by the 27-year-old’s character. He was pleased when the striker offered no reservations about getting involved in the reserve game at Blackpool, where Bridges played the full 90 minutes.
His presence in Lancashire was the headline on a day Simpson was assessing another north east player, 18-year-old Michael Walton, who was on Newcastle’s books and on trial with Carlisle. Bridges, though, was the only tale in town. “He [Bridges] did well,” said Simpson of the second-string appearance. “He showed some good touches and will really benefit from the 90 minutes.”
Simpson declared himself “undecided” on whether Bridges was ready to be thrown straight into first-team action against Oxford United at the weekend. In-form Hawley, meanwhile, welcomed the high-profile extra competition for an attacking place. “Bridges has played at the highest level and it will be a pleasure to work with him,” Hawley said. “Hopefully I’ll learn a few things.”
The introduction: Paul Simpson sends Bridges on for his debut against Oxford (Image: Jonathan Becker)
Hawley himself was dishing out the lessons in 2005/06 and, when the Oxford game came, it was Carlisle’s leading marksman who did the decisive work – not that Bridges was entirely in the margins. The new signing was named on the bench as Carlisle took a first-half lead through Raphael Nade, and then doubled it in the 57th minute in trademark Hawley style, with a telling pivot and deadly finish in the Oxford box for his 13th of the campaign.
Seven minutes later, Simpson withdrew target man Derek Holmes and gave the 6,097 crowd their due. On came Bridges for his debut and the former top-flight star was quickly into the action, linking with Hawley, going close himself from 20 yards and with a later header, before Lee Bradbury ended the afternoon with a consolation goal for Oxford.
United’s campaign duly gathered pace – and Bridges immediately scented success. “Why not?” he said of the idea of another promotion. “You just have to look at a team like Swansea, who went up from League Two last season, and are absolutely tearing it up in League One this season. There’s no reason why this club can’t do something similar.
“I can see this club is on the up.”
Big deal: Carlisle landed Bridges permanently as 2006 arrived (Image: News & Star)
Bridges also put on record his appreciation for the “fantastic” reception he received from fans – and from there, one of the most impressive Carlisle careers of the last two decades and more quickly flourished. After another game on the bench against Wycombe Wanderers, Bridges got his first start at Rushden & Diamonds in a three-pronged attack with Holmes and Hawley.
His 90th-minute goal at Nene Park was a welcome moment indeed, and on Bridges marched. A couple more goals before the turn of the year was followed by the dramatic news that Carlisle had signed Bridges on a permanent deal. “It shows everyone that we are serious,” said Simpson of the move.
Bridges' 15 goals helped Carlisle to the 2005/06 League Two title (Image: Stuart Walker)
Never a truer word. By the end of 2005/06, the striker’s role in a sweep to glory had proved outstanding. Bridges finished the campaign with 15 goals from 25 appearances, including some vital ones during the run-in, and also a few spectacular ones, such as an elusive solo goal against Chester City, a magnificent volley at Northampton Town and a step-over treat at Darlington, along with some performances of high quality indeed.
Carlisle were champions – still their most recent title – and amid an outstanding team effort, Bridges had given Brunton Park a spell of the most wonderful illumination.