Hi all

Billy the fish, who was rescued from a goalmouth at Carlisle United’s Brunton Park ground during the floods of 2005, has died

The lucky mascot has overseen the club’s rise from the Conference to League One in the last five years.
Billy was discovered swimming around in the goalmouth at the Warwick Road End in the aftermath of the floods in January 2005 when huge industrial pumps were about to be switched on to start clearing water off the pitch.

While waiting for the owner to come forward, United recorded a 3-1 win over Redditch United in the FA Trophy, ending a poor run of results.

Andy Hall, media officer at Carlisle United, said: “It’s fair to say that the good luck tag has been an appropriate one for Billy. From the comfort of a fish tank in the reception at Brunton Park, he has overseen United’s return to the Football League, the League Two title triumph, trips to the Millennium Stadium and the new Wembley Stadium and even a club record run of 14 consecutive home victories in the 2007/2008 season.”

The club is now planning to buy some new fish.