Last updated 09:16, Saturday, 17 May 2008

It is hard to put into words for a non-football fan the sense of dejection being felt by Carlisle United supporters after their play-off exit to Leeds this week.

Football is indeed just a game, but it encapsulates so many emotions and plays such an important part in so many people’s lives, conversations and spare time, defeat can be hard to accept.

Like a true leader, United captain Danny Livesey has already sounded the rallying cry that all supporters must now tune in to.

Livesey recognises that at Brunton Park there is now the nucleus of a squad which could be very successful, and he wants to build on this to push for promotion again next season.

It is easy to forget that only nine months ago very few Carlisle fans were expecting their team to do as well as they did.

Let us bask in the glory of knowing that United gave a really good account of themselves this season and helped put the club on the map for the right reasons.

But Danny Livesey is also right when he says that Carlisle United need to add more players of quality and experience to enjoy a similar season next time.

They may even lose some of their finest stars over the summer to clubs playing in a higher division.

Money must be spent on investing in the club’s fortunes and future. And with the blue army backing the team, the Championship may not be too far away.