02-05-2025
The ex-Blues bidding to follow Carlisle United into National League
Whilst Carlisle United's place in the National League is an unwanted one, a number of former Blues figures are desperate to join them.
The full make-up of the 2025/26 fifth tier depends on the outcome of end-of-season play-offs.
And some familiar faces are at the business end of things in National League North and South.
Both have reached the semi-final stages in the play-offs after midweek eliminator games.
In National League North, Chorley have a pair of ex-Blues in influential positions.
Andy Preece, left, is in charge at Chorley (Image: Peter Barton)
Manager of the Magpies is Andy Preece, who was an experienced forward for United when they last fell out of the EFL some 21 years ago.
And on the pitch, Chorley's progress is down in no small part to Mark Ellis, the veteran defender who scored their late winner in Tuesday's 1-0 eliminator against King's Lynn Town.
Who else but @5mellis? ⚽️ It's @chorleyfc who lead in the North Eliminator! Watch the full game live on or download the DAZN app#TheVanarama | @DAZN_NationalLg
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) April 29, 2025
That was his 14th goal of a remarkable campaign, which saw the 36-year-old become England's top scoring centre-back.
Chorley, who finished fifth in the table, now face a trip to second-placed Scunthorpe United in the semi-finals. In the Iron ranks is the former Carlisle striker Mark Beck, who has made 26 appearances in the league campaign, scoring once. Another ex-Blue, striker Sam Fishburn, is also on the Scunthorpe books although he ended the season on loan with Ashington in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
The other semi-final in National League North also has a former United presence.
For Kidderminster Harriers, who host Chester on Saturday, have an ex-Blues manager in their ranks.
Neil McDonald, Carlisle's boss in 2006/07, is assistant to boss Phil Brown at Aggborough.
Neil McDonald, left, is No2 to Phil Brown at promotion-chasing Kidderminster (Image: PA)
He has been with Kidderminster since January 2024 and is aiming to help the third-placed Harriers back to the fifth tier at the first attempt after last season's relegation. They face a fourth-placed Chester side who overcame Buxton in their eliminator.
In National League South there are also familiar faces trying to make their way up.
The play-off semi-final on Sunday sees Eastbourne Borough take on Maidstone United, who defeated Worthing in their eliminator.
And in the dugout for Eastbourne is former Carlisle midfielder Adam Murray, who played for United in their previous Conference season and helped them to consecutive promotions up to League One.
Adam Murray, a double promotion-winner with Carlisle, is hoping to take Eastbourne Borough up (Image: Jonathan Becker)
Murray has been at the Eastbourne helm since January 2024 and, after helping them avoid relegation last season, has had the Sports firmly in the promotion running this season, finishing third in the table. Opponents Maidstone were seventh.
The other semi-final, on Saturday, sees second-placed Torquay United take on fifth-placed Boreham Wood, the latter getting past Dorking Wanderers in their eliminator.
And there are former Blues in both camps for that encounter in Devon.
Torquay's attack includes the well-travelled ex-Carlisle striker Offrande Zanzala, who was with United in the 2020/21 season.
Offrande Zanzala, left, and Mike Edwards, right, are with National League South play-off semi-finalists Torquay United (Image: Barbara Abbott / Louise Porter)
And their coaching team also has a place for Mike Edwards, the Blues defender from 2012 to 2014, who is Paul Wotton's assistant manager.
They will face a Boreham Wood side whose midfield features the ex-Carlisle man Mo Sagaf.
The 27-year-old, who was with United in 2019/20, has been on Boreham Wood's books for the last two years.
Certain former Carlisle players are looking to escape the National League, meanwhile, with the fifth-tier season approaching its final weekend.
Barnet are already up as champions, with the next six teams set to contest the play-offs.
Those in the play-off positions currently are York City, Forest Green Rovers, Rochdale, Oldham Athletic, FC Halifax Town and Southend United, with eighth-placed Gateshead hoping to sneak in on the final day.
Former United loan forward Tyrese Omotoye is with third-placed Forest Green but he has been a bit-part player in their promotion push.
Fifth-placed Oldham have two ex-Blues in their ranks – striker Joe Garner and midfielder Corry Evans.
Jack Bridge is hoping to help Southend United back into the EFL (Image: Barbara Abbott)
Midfielder Jack Bridge is with seventh-placed Southend United, while Gateshead are managed by the former United coach Carl Magnay. Blues midfielder Ethan Robson is on loan with the north east club but has missed recent games with injury.
