Carlisle United fans' trip to five countries to see Morecambe victory
It was an away trip with a difference for a group of Carlisle United fans – who travelled more than 800 miles and through five countries before the Morecambe game.
The trip to Lancashire is among the shortest on the Blues' calendar, but some of United's hardy travelling supporters decided to extend it…and then some.
They journeyed from Cumbria to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales before arriving back in England in time for the Blues' 2-0 victory on Saturday, which completed a memorable five-day tour.
The trip started last Tuesday morning when the supporters travelled from Penrith to Carlisle, then to Cairnryan on the Wigtownshire coast in Dumfries and Galloway.
From there it was the ferry to Belfast, where they stayed until Thursday before heading south to Dublin.
Friday then saw the fans cross the water back to Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, before sailing to Liverpool for their final night before the journey up to Morecambe.
Drivers Ian Tuer and Craig Phillips on the five-day trip (Image: Barbara Abbott)
The trip was organised by Carlisle United's Away Travel group (CUSAT) who run regular travel to away games and also organise a few trips with a difference over the course of most seasons.
Photographer and United fan Barbara Abbott was on the trip and told the News & Star about some of the sights the fans saw along the way, with supporters free to enjoy each destination as they chose.
'The only rule on CUSAT trips is you all turn up the next morning to catch the bus and the last person on will be booed,' said Barbara.
'The rest of the time everyone is free to do their own thing although people on their own are never on their own for long.
'It's a very diverse community but we all have one thing in common to talk about…'
United fans at the Titanic exhibition in Belfast (Image: Barbara Abbott)
In Belfast the sightseeing included a visit to the Titanic Exhibition, before a trip to the following morning to Giant's Causeway.
'It was lovely going through the countryside,' said Barbara. 'When we got there the lady who greeted us apologised that we were not going to get the full experience of the Giant's Causeway, as a normal day there would see people trailing back up the hill, soaking wet and freezing cold but we were going to miss all that.
'No one in our group complained. The Causeway is somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time and it didn't disappoint.'
There was also a whisky distillery visit before fans sampled some of the Belfast nightlife, and then on Thursday it was a coach ride to Dublin, where activities included a boat trip on the River Liffey.
The ferry to Holyhead on Friday saw the fifth country, Wales, ticked off, before supporters explored Liverpool.
Fans spent Friday night in Liverpool before heading to Morecambe for the United game the following day (Image: Barbara Abbott)
The gathering attracted curiosity from those the fans encountered along the way, added Barbara. 'We got looks of sympathy or disbelief when we explained to random strangers that we were going to a football match but it all came right on the day.
'We had a fantastic afternoon at the match and a good trip home. Over 800 miles travelled, great company – and a win. What more could we ask for?
'Thanks to Ian Tuer for suggesting our route and sorting the travel; Craig ,helping with the driving; and Kate Rowley with help from Pat and David for organising the holiday and keeping everything ticking along – and anyone else I've missed off. Many thanks, all.'
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