The Carlisle United manager has today said that Alan Pardew is an inspiration to him. Greg Abbott Carlisle manager But because of Alan's fantastic success at Newcastle, in what turned out to be a magical season for Newcastle, he also says tongue in cheek that he's jealous of Pardew. It was a short two years ago in 2010 when Carlisle were [.

Football League play-off finals aside, the domestic season is now all-but over and last week saw the last of our non-league videos of the week. To fill the gap between now and the start of next season, though, we're going to bring you some videos from the history of the game in England and who better to start with the new European champions, Chelsea?

Currently in eight position in the English Football League, One, Carlisle United FC is still in contention for a playoff promotion spot with one match left in the season. Ahead...

Seb Hines and Middlesbrough hurt their promotion dreams with a draw against Doncaster, while Stevenage dented Frank Simek and Carlisle United's own hopes for Championship soccer next season.

Seb Hines and Middlesbrough continue their promotion push against Doncaster Rovers, while Frank Simek and Carlisle United take on Stevenage in a game with promotion aspirations.

[T]his time four years ago Carlisle United stood on the brink of glory. A single win from their last three games against Leeds United, Southend or Millwall would have been enough for the Cumbrians to claim the final automatic promotion spot from League One and reach the heady heights of English football's second tier for the first time in 20 years.

[T]his time four years ago Carlisle United stood on the brink of glory. A single win from their last three games against Leeds United, Southend or Millwall would have been enough for the Cumbrians to claim the final automatic promotion spot from League One and reach the heady heights of English football's second tier for the first time in 20 years.

By FRANCO PANIZO

For two Americans dealing with the disappointment of being bounced out of the Europa League, this weekend provides them an opportunity to rebound. Against each other.

Steve Cherundolo and Jermaine Jones will face off on Sunday trying to get back in the win column after seeing their respective teams eliminated in the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday.

Tim Ream and Bolton crashed out fo the FA Cup with a loss to Tottenham, while Frank Simek and Carlisle United beat Milton Keynes Dons in League One play.

Tim Ream and Bolton play an emotional FA Cup game against Tottenham, while Frank Simek and Carlisle United look to solidify their playoff spot against Milton Keynes Dons.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Rangers' hopes of winning the league for a fourth consecutive season are all but over, but that likely won't stop this weekend's match against first-place Celtic from being as fervent as usual.

Rangers host Celtic on Sunday in a game that should still be intense despite Celtic's 21-point lead in the league.

20 year-old James Henry Tavernier has so so far played 51 games in his fledgling football career. Charlton's Johnnie Jackson and MK Dons' James Tavernier fight for the ball But only two of them are with Newcastle, and he has racked up the rest on loan at Gateshead (18), Carlisle United (17), Sheffield Wednesday (8)and MK Dons (6), where [.

A few weeks after an ominous Leeds United debut, Robbie Rogers is back in action.

The American winger played in a club friendly against Carlisle United and scored on Tuesday, marking his return to the field for Leeds after suffering a concussion in his debut on Feb. 18. After coming on as a 79th-minute substitute, Rogers clashed heads with Doncaster Rovers' Tommy Spurr on a 50-50 ball and had to be taken off in stoppage time.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Puebla beware. Herculez Gomez is starting to get hot again.

Just as he has done so often in the past couple of years, Gomez is starting to put together a scoring run. He has found the back of the net three times for Santos Laguna in the past week-and-a-half, and will look to add to that this weekend when DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla come into town.

It's Tuesday. Four days away from the season and home opener. With the news from camp is there is a new trialist in training. Lewis Neal, an English midfielder, will be training with the team. Neal started his career at Stoke City but played for Carlisle United and Shrewsbury Tow. He made 150 appearances in England and has been playing at Orlando City SC where he notched four goals and three assists in 21 appearances for the Florida club.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City host Chelsea in an FA Cup replay, while Frank Simek and Carlisle United hope to get back to winning ways against lowly Rochdale in League One action.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Timmy Chandler's future with Nurnberg may be up in the air, but the American is still likely to be relied upon by the club this weekend.

Even with Nurnberg handing him an ultimatum earlier this week, Chandler is likely to be in the club's lineup for its match against Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City beat Barnsley in Championship play this midweek, while Frank Simek and Carlisle United went down hard to Brentford in League One.

Former Arsenal F.C. Academy player Tom Cruise is set to join the New England Revolution for a two week trial, according to a report on Sky Sports. Cruise, a defender, will join the Revolution in Arizona for the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup.

Cruise joined Arsenal in 2007, winning the FA Youth Cup with the club in 2008-2009, but was released as a free agent in June of 2011.

Flash back to the 31st of January 2010 – shot shy Carlisle United are desperate for an experienced front man to come in to help out the earnest pairing of Scott Dobie and Joe Anyinsah, the then still errant, gangling giraffe Gary Madine and the bunged-up blunderbuss Richard Offiong. By mid-morning the signing of a striker had been announced, in the form of 18 year old Stoke City man Ben Marshall, a youngster who'd had earlier spells with a pair of League Two Towns – Northampton and Cheltenham.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The winter transfer window closed this past Tuesday, and a pair of Americans who secured moves during it will be looking to make their debuts this weekend.

George John and Robbie Rogers could make their first appearances abroad for West Ham United and Leeds United, respectively, as the Championship gets back into a full weekend swing.

photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

The German Bundesliga kicks back into full gear this weekend, and with it could come a direct head-to-head duel between a pair of U.S. men's national team players.

Steve Cherundolo and Fabian Johnson could do battle when Hannover 96 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim resume their Bundesliga campaigns on Saturday.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If Brad Guzan retains his spot in Aston Villa's starting lineup this weekend, we are in for a treat.

Guzan and the Villans host Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton on Saturday in arguably the biggest match-up involving Americans this weekend.

Liverpool step into the last remaining competition on their calendar, welcoming Oldham Athletic to Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup. The League One side got past Southend United in the second round after a draw forced the home replay, which the hosts won 1-0. Liverpool will be looking to get past the third round for just the third time in six seasons after crashing out to Reading and Manchester United in the past two seasons.

[F]or our first proper post following the big redesign, we are very pleased to welcome back John McGee. Bring Me the Head of Keith Mincher is John's blog devoted to Carlisle United and he likes nothing better than to rail against anyone who disagrees with him on Twitter under the nom de plume of @epouvantail - he's a little smug at the moment given the club's continued robust play-off push.

Photo by Joe Toth/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has made quite the statement in 2011, and this weekend will provide him with a chance to finish it in style.

Having enjoyed a career year, Dempsey's final game of 2011 will pit him and Fulham against Norwich City in a match that could see the Cottagers inch closer to the top half of the Premiership table.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If the Christmas weekend left you starved for soccer, Monday might just be enough to satisfy your hunger.

Nearly a dozen games involving Americans Abroad are scheduled to take place on Boxing Day, including Jonathan Spector's match against his former club, West Ham United.

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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Zak Whitbread is on the brink of doing something that he's only done once this season: Start consecutive games.

A week after returning to Norwich City's lineup in a surprise victory over Newcastle, Whitbread appears set to start for the Canaries when they play Tim Howard and Everton.

FA Cup tickets up for grabs

We've teamed up with Budweiser, lead partner for The FA Cup, to give football fans the chance to win second round FA Cup tickets. We have a pair of tickets available for each of the below ties, all taking place on Saturday 3 December: - Charlton Athletic v Carlisle United - Bradford City v AFC Wimbledon - Barnet v MK Dons To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the competition form below along with your name, age, postal address, contact details and match choice:

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-11-28 15:22:43 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

It must be Thanksgiving weekend, because there are some tasty match-ups involving the Americans Abroad contingent this weekend.

Michael Bradley and Chievo Verona have one of the marquee games, as they take on AC Milan on Sunday.

This marvellous poster was given away free with Soccer Monthly some time during the mid to late 70s. It contains information on 158 teams throughout the British Isles, from Torquay United to Sligo Rovers. Click to enlarge.

There are some terrific kits in there. Bonus points to Orient and Wales for their lovely Admiral numbers and to Cardiff City, Carlisle United and Torquay United.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Domination.

That's one of the words that can best be used to describe Rangers' undefeated season, a season that Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu and the rest of the club will attempt to build on when they face Dundee United on Saturday.

Currently nine points clear of second-place Motherwell with an 11-2-0 record, Rangers should take another step towards claiming a fourth straight Scottish Premier League title if it can live up to its expectations against Dundee.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Michael Bradley may not currently be a starter on the U.S. men's national team, but he'll have a big chance to show head coach Jurgen Klinsmann that he's ready for more minutes.

Bradley and Chievo Verona take on league leader Juventus this weekend in a match that the U.

By Chris Wright

League Two side Aldershot's humble 7,100 capacity (4,000 seated) Recreation Ground known formally and commercially as the 'EBB Stadium' is set to play host to Premier League goliaths Manchester United in the Fourth round of the Carling Cup a week next Tuesday and, with tickets going on sale yesterday, we thought we'd give you all a little sneak peak of the venue that is lying in wait for Fergie's high-rollers (or at least the second/third string of Fergie's high-rollers) in a fortnight or so's time in the form of a photo essay.

As a fan of a Non-League side it's very rare that I have anyone to talk to about the team I support. I completely understand why some people will have little or nothing to say about the Non-League but what really gets on my nerves is when I hear people writing it off as being a poor level of football.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Tim Howard and Everton's start to the season has not been a flawless one, but the Toffees could get momentum rolling if they come up with a win in one of the weekend's marquee matches.

Everton hosts Liverpool on Saturday in the first Merseyside derby of the season, and Howard is sure to be tested as he goes up against Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard and the rest of Liverpool's attacking weapons.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Ever since Oguchi Onyewu was inserted into Sporting CP's starting lineup, the club has done something it did only once during the opening month of the season: Win.

Onyewu has helped Sporting CP come out victorious in its last three matches across all competitions, and as a result, he'll likely get the nod again when the club faces Vitoria Setubal.

News today that James Tavernier will be loaned out to Carlisle United for another two months. James Tavernier in action for Carlisle With new boy Davide Santon being injured in training yesterday, and having to have key-hole surgery on his right knee, the 20 year-old Italian will be out for at least four weeks.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Carlos Bocanegra may be one of the most experienced players on the U.S. men's national team, but he has likely been seeking advice from Maurice Edu in advance of Rangers' upcoming game.

Bocanegra is likely to get his first taste of the Old Firm rivalry on Sunday, as Rangers is set to face Celtic in the first of three matches between the two teams scheduled this season.