New United signing Mike Edwards (ME) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Paul Newton (PN) at Monday afternoon's press conference for the local media, centre-half Edwards first talking about how he came to put pen to paper for the Blues :
ME
It is fantastic, I met the gaffer (Greg Abbott) a few weeks ago and we were talking, I remember playing against Carlisle in the last couple of seasons and it is a team where I definitely know I love the way they play, it is a great footballing team and it is something I jumped at the chance to have a go at.
PN
Eight years at Notts County, how difficult a decision was it to leave?
ME
It was always tough being associated there, I have had ups and downs sort of there but I just know as a player I want to play for another six or seven years. So, when the opportunity came along and speaking to the gaffer and everything, the positivity around here, it was an opportunity I couldn't really turn down on the footballing side. I had a great time there, but obviously that is behind me now and looking forward to starting the next couple of years.
PN
What was your situation with Notts County then? You were out of contract in the summer, had they offered you a new deal?
ME
Yeah, I had been offered a new deal there, I had obviously spoken to the gaffer down there (Keith Curle) and I had spoken to the gaffer up here to be fair. The way it was and speaking up here, as I say the sort of draw was definitely here, and I have decided to obviously move on from there and I am looking forward to it.
We came and had a drive up a few weeks ago to have a look round the area and things and it is a great place to be and that. It is a nice area up here so we did like it in that respect, it was just knowing more from the playing point of view that it is something that I definitely can see myself playing here and getting my teeth stuck in to helping the team get promoted.
PN
For the benefit of those who have maybe not seen you play, what would you say your strengths and weakness are, strengths first?
ME
I am a defender, I love to defend sort of thing, that it the first part of the game, I do enjoy doing it to be fair. I like to think I have been fairly consistent in the times I have been playing at Notts and previously. So, I would like to obviously bring that along with me and things and obviously work hard on the defending side and the organising side of things which I do enjoy doing. So, I am looking forward to it, it is sort of a new challenge, it is fresh and as I say, it is going to be good.
PN
32 now, you see your career extending for hopefully a good few years yet?
ME
Definitely, yeah, it is something that I want to do is play on as long as I can and I know that people do judge you at some point when you do get over 30, but one of my previous bosses in Craig Short when I was speaking to him he said it was sort of his best time was his next six or seven years after he had turned 30. He said it was his best times as a centre-half and I can sort of relate a little bit to that and I think coming up here it is fresh.
I just enjoy playing, I love playing, it is something that I have obviously wanted to do from being young and that. It is sort of a new challenge but the way the gaffer plays and gets the team playing it is the way in the last two or three years we have been trying to play at Nottingham as well at County. So, it is something I can see myself fitting into really easily, I spoke to Lee Miller before just speaking about how things were and he sold it as being great, and it is something I am itching obviously for the season to start basically.
PN
Yeah, I was going to ask you, do you know many of the squad up here? I guess Lee Miller obviously from your time at Notts together?
ME
There is only obviously Millsy who came on loan when I was there so there is just him at the moment. I think the other lads, I have obviously played against them a few times and things so you get to know them, and pre-season is always a good time for that, because it is probably a hard time and you are working hard to be fair. So, I am sure I will fit in fine.
PN
And excited about the new challenge at a new club?
ME
Definitely yeah, the last couple of seasons Carlisle have been up there trying to and nearly getting promoted. That is what I have come along for to help the team try to get up there basically.