After being formed in the year 1903, they joined the third division north in 1928 and at that point they possessed the football leagues leading goal scorer, Jimmy McConnell with 42 goals. In the year 1949, Billy Shankly took charge at the club and nearly took his side to the second division in 1949. Bob Stokoe took charge when Shankly departed and he took Carlisle to the semi finals of the league cup during the 1969 – 1970 season. By the time of the 1974 – 1975 campaign, they struck goal by playing in the top flight, however they suffered relegation in their first season. They gradually declined in the football league and entered the fourth division at the start of the 1987 – 1988 campaign. Carlisle became a non league football club right at the start of the 21st century however they have lifted them selves back into the league and now are playing football in league one.