Carlisle United condemn “unacceptable” abusive incidents at recent matches towards players, staff and head coach Rob Elliot.
It comes after he spoke on it taking place at this weekend’s 2-2 draw with Southend, saying some comments had ‘crossed the line’.
Georgie Kelly had the Cumbrians ahead after just four minutes, but Southend fought back with goals form Leon Chambers-Parillon (83′) and Kyle McAdam (90+3′), then in the 97th minute, Georgie Kelly produced an equaliser.
The result sees Carlisle 12th in the National League table with 9 points from 7 games played, while Southend are 5th with 14 points and three points behind leaders Boreham Wood.
Carlisle United head coach Rob Elliot said he understands fans’ frustrations after their 2-2 draw with Southend – but some comments had ‘crossed the line’. Interview on @BBCSounds.#bbcfootball #carlisleunited #cumbrians pic.twitter.com/2R8gqRvxc7
— BBC Sport Cumbria (@bbccumbriasport) September 12, 2026
Interviewer: “Just while we’re talking about this sort of issue, it seemed that there was some conversation when we went behind with some fans behind. There have also been some fans who I think other fans have tried to shut down saying that you’ve got to go etc because it’s not working. What would you say to fans at the moment?”
Rob Elliot: “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion but I think some of the abuse I got at the dugout during the game I think is completely unacceptable and unfair. I think I’m a good person, I love this place and I’ve taken to it so well, we work so hard, we’re trying to change the whole dynamic of the club.
“It’s been a really tough three years, we haven’t got to what we want to and we’re trying to help and give everything. We’re trying to put on displays that like that, the last few home games you should have 10 goals, you should have scored 20. And I understand it’s frustrating, I completely get that, I completely do.
“But I think we have to stay together and stay united because I think if people think that that’s unacceptable performances and that we’re not going to be at the top end of the table, at the top of the league by the end of the season, I will completely disagree because I think we’re doing everything we can to get there.
“Ultimately, we’re not getting the final moments right. So I’m happy to take criticism, no worries. But I think some of it was over the top and I don’t think it’s acceptable when we get clapped off the pitch yet again.
Interviewer: “I think people forget that you as a manager and your players are…”
Rob: “Well, my son’s sitting there and heard all of it. And by the way, we’re talking about a very, very small amount of people. So let’s not make it something bigger than it is. And it’s fine, by the way. I have no issue. But make it justified. I think if it’s justified, I’ll accept it. But I don’t think some of the stuff was justified from. a couple of people, two or three.
“And I thought the reception from the fans after the game showed everything, I the support overall, 99.9 % of the support’s been superb, the people around the place, the club. And we want to win games, and I get that.
“But ultimately, haven’t hit where we wanted to hit in the last three years or so. And we need to make a big shift in everything, every department, every bit of the club, every culture, because the people here care, the owners care.
“They put so much money and time and effort into the fans, the community and the club and I know that there’s frustrations it hasn’t worked out but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in the people.
“I didn’t think I was working for good people and I am and I think we just need to keep getting better and keep pushing towards the mentality change and as we do that we’ll keep getting the lads better and get results.
“I think we’re all here for this journey and we need to go into it because I think we’ll get to where we want to get to and there’s so many brilliant people around. It’s such an amazing club with such a good fan base that’s in the heart of the community and we need to make sure that we just keep buying into that because when them times get tough we stick together and we’ll come out the other side.”
Listen to the interview in full HERE.
On the game, he said, as per the club website: “I think we were clearly the better team and should have won the game really comfortably. The game should probably have been gone by half-time, and then in the second half we had another number of chances.
“When you’re on top that much, you have to take advantage of it because it stops the opposition becoming adventurous and it can seal the game early.
“We have to make sure we stay consistent in terms of getting into those positions, but then we have to take advantage of them.
“There were a lot of positives, and I thought the lads showed real fight to come back, but we should have put the game to bed against a team who are going to be right up there this season.”
On backing Leo Duru after an individual error leading to a Southend goal: “Leo has been absolutely superb for us.
“We’ll keep backing him because he’s going to be a really big player for us and he’s got huge talent.
“The only thing about making mistakes is how you react, and that’s all I wanted to see from him.”
Praising Georgie Kelly: “Georgie has been superb for us; he does so much for the team, whether that’s being a target for us or linking the play. He’s a machine. He wants to be fit, he wants to play games, and I’m really pleased with his output. I’m pleased for him to get his goal.”
On what was missing from his side’s performance: “We’ve got to put the ball in the net. When you do your work, you have a structure, you create width, runners, combinations and individual moments.
“When you get in front of goal, you have to put it in the net.
“We can’t have another 25 or 30 shots at home and not take enough of those chances. We need to take responsibility for that.”
Looking ahead to the midweek game against Forest Green, he said: “Rest, recovery and preparation now; we need to make sure we’re as fresh as we can be and we’ll attack Tuesday’s game in the same manner.
“Everything is there. We just need to start turning these performances into wins.”
Fans reacted while Carlisle condemn “unacceptable” incidents at recent matches towards players and Rob Elliot…
@RobMorley_: People actually abusing him are an absolute shan like, be as frustrated as anyone but you still back your club 👍
@cufcjoel: Disturbing, I’m miffed off with the result & not seeing these games out, but I don’t remember a Carlisle team playing this exciting, constant brand of football. Love watching us this season, it’s a completely needed breath of fresh air, but there’s clearly a line for criticism
@karl72465: Don’t know why people abusing him. If you are get out of the club.
@cufcstuff: What does abusing the manager (or players for that matter) achieve? Even if you think he’s to blame… it’s counter productive.
@WarwickCUFC: Well said Rob. Made real progress over the last 7 games and the fact it wasn’t out of site by HT is on the players. Much prefer watching this team over any of the others of the last 3 years 👍
@blando98: We really have some of the worst fans in the country… tiny bit of something goes wrong and they get nasty. No need at all #cufc
@Alfiecufc: This absolutely isn’t his fault
@Niallmat90: Whatever fans are abusing him want to give their head a wobble
@joeleigh95: Would have to be a complete dickhead to abuse him, especially when he wasn’t at fault for any of that
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