Fans snap up pieces of Brunton Park history...at speed of light

The lights may have been turned off at Brunton Park…but they’ll shine on for some hardcore fans.

A collection of lamps from one of Carlisle United’s dismantled 1970s floodlights went on sale today.

And some supporters, keen to get their hands on a piece of club history, were queueing at the Blues Store before it opened at 10am today.

Some 17 of the lamps, which have helped illuminate games at Brunton Park for decades, were made available by the club at a cost of £100 each.

The lamps were put up for sale by United after one of the ground's floodlights was taken down (Image: Jon Colman)

When the News & Star paid a visit to the store at about 10.15am, most of the lamps had already been sold.

Blues Store manager Stef McLean said: “It’s a first for us, to sell part of the history of the club like this.

The unusual pieces of Brunton Park memorabilia were on sale at £100 each (Image: Jon Colman)

“It’s exciting for the fans that they can get their hands on some of the history of Brunton Park.”

United are retaining a small number of the lamps, which came down when the floodlight between the Warwick Road End and East Stand was dismantled this week as part of major stadium renovations, with the possibility of including one in a proposed club museum.

Signs on the rear of one of the floodlight lamps (Image: Jon Colman)

The club, though, were keen to make a number of them available to supporters. Stef said that, as well as those who queued, a number of fans had been contacting the store by phone looking to buy one.

“One person said it’s going in his garden, another is sending one to his son down south,” added Stef.

Some 17 of the lamps went on sale in the Blues Store (Image: Jon Colman)

“One said his Grandad fitted them when they went up in 1974.

“Some people say they are going to get them working.

“It’s been nice to hear so many stories from people and about their plans for them.

“It’s something unique – part of the stadium and the club’s heritage. That said, we weren’t expecting a queue, and for the shop to be full of people wanting lamps!”

United's Stef McLean and Ewan Wood with the floodlight lamps (Image: Jon Colman)

As well as selling the lamps, United have recently been selling some items on a new eBay shop, including kit bundles worn by players last season.

Other items set to be sold include some of the large player banners which have been hanging from the walls of Brunton Park.