Booth Back At Brunton Park

Last updated : 26 September 2007 By Thetashkentterror
Dennis Booth
Booth, who was axed by Simpson at the end of last season, has rejoined United as a scout under a new scouting network put in place by manager Neil McDonald. And the hugely-popular Booth today said he hopes to use all his experience to help the Cumbrians unearth another Karl Hawley - the man who helped fire Carlisle to two successive promotions after Booth plucked him from obscurity in 2005.

"You can't beat experience in any walk of life. I know a lot of people in football and that should help us. I remembered Karl Hawley from a young boy at Walsall and when we saw his name on the list of people being released, we took the opportunity to bring him in. The rest is history. Not everybody you sign is going to be a success, but I certainly wouldn't mind unearthing another Karl Hawley somewhere down the line."

Midlands-based Booth was approached by current United number two Greg Abbott to rejoin the club in a scouting capacity, while veteran former Oxford manager Malcolm Shotton has also joined following the recent departure of chief scout Colin Suggett. Booth said he was delighted to be back at Brunton Park where he enjoyed three successful years as Simpson's number two.

"I had special times at Carlisle before and it is lovely to have the chance to help them again. I am going to be helping them with the scouting, basically doing whatever they want me to do - looking at players, watching teams they are going to be playing, and using my contacts to help them if I hear of something or spot something."

Booth claims there had been some interest in his services, but no concrete offers, from other clubs since he was shown the door by Simpson, who described his former number two as "old school".

"It has been hard watching teams going back for pre-season and not being involved. But there are a lot of twists and turns in football and I'm really happy to be back at Carlisle."