[ad_1]
The Blues have been ranked seventh overall in the latest Think! Fan Engagement Index for 2026.
The latest rankings score United highly for their interaction with supporters.
But Carlisle’s position and rating are lower than last year, when they were second in the national table.
The reason for their lower status is in their score for “transparency”, which in 2025/26 was rated at 50, down from 80 in the 2024/25 season.
Their marks in the other main categories – “dialogue” and “governance” – remain the same, with 80 and 65 points respectively.
Carlisle’s overall score of 195 earns them ‘Silver’ status in the 2026 index, after earning Gold in 2025.
Clubs are ranked on a range of criteria as the Index seeks to establish which clubs are the best and worst at fan engagement.
“Dialogue” covers areas such as structured dialogue with a supporters’ trust or independent fan group, as well as dialogue with a wider group of representatives plus fans’ forums and other forms of interaction, including social media and contact through supporter liaison officers (SLOs).
In this field, Carlisle’s score of 80 was the maximum available for “dialogue” and the Blues’ strongest area of performance.
Under “governance”, clubs are scored for their performance in aspects like supporter representatives on the board, customer charters or fan engagement plans, the stand-alone SLO role and memorandums of understanding or other legal agreements with supporters’ trusts or other independent fan bodies.
United scored 65 out of a maximum 80 in “governance”.
“Transparency”, meanwhile, rates clubs in areas such as structured dialogue meetings with supporters’ trusts and wider fan representative bodies, fans’ forum reporting and club board meeting reports or minutes.
Carlisle’s score in this category was 50 out of 80.
The News & Star approached United for comment on its overall ranking as well as the lowering of its “transparency” mark.
In response, the club’s new chief executive Tom Lawrence said: “I’m delighted to see Carlisle United ranked seventh overall and top of the National League in the Fan Engagement Index – it’s testament to the great work that has already been done by people across the club.
“Strong supporter engagement is hugely important to everyone at the club, and our focus now is on continuing that work and finding ways to enhance it further.”
Think! Fan Engagement Index organisers have also been invited to comment on United’s ranking and why their “transparency” score has been downgraded.
United have consistently been ranked highly in the index since it was launched in 2019. This year’s ranking of seventh is their lowest, the Blues having been placed fourth or second in previous seasons.
League One club Exeter City have retained their number one status in the 2026 index, followed by Lincoln City – the only other club to earn a ‘Gold’ award.
Above Carlisle in the ‘Silver’ category are Swansea City, Norwich City, Cambridge United and AFC Wimbledon, with eighth-placed Doncaster Rovers also earning silver.
A further 15 clubs are given ‘Bronze’ status in the index.
Carlisle rank highest of all last season’s National League clubs, with Rochdale 13th overall and Southend United 15th in the bronze positions. Nine fifth tier clubs were given an overall score of zero.
Barrow are ranked 28th, with an overall mark of 135 points, which comprises 65 for dialogue, 50 for governance and 20 for transparency, relating to their 2025/26 League Two season.
Brentford and Everton are the highest-placed Premier League clubs, in tenth and 11th respectively.
The full Fan Engagement Index can be found HERE.
FLASH SALE: Our biggest subscription offers for Carlisle United fans are now live! Get unlimited access to every article for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price – click HERE
[ad_2]
Source link
