Abbott given Carlisle post; 'Greg has shown he is the right person for the job'.

Byline: LUKE EDWARDS 

IT is a case of second time lucky for Greg Abbott following his permanent appointment as Carlisle United manager in time for today's match at Swindon Town, writes LUKE EDWARDS.

Abbott, who has been doing the job on a caretaker basis for the past month following the sacking of John Ward, had almost got the job instead of Ward two years ago.

On that occasion, the former Bradford and Hull City midfielder lost out because the board felt he lacked the necessary experience to the lead the side.

But, having worked as Ward's number two, as well as his predecessor Neil Mc-Donald's, Abbott has finally been given a job which is also believed to have attracted the attention of two former Newcastle United stars, Lee Clark and Peter Beardsley.

Clark, who is working as Glenn Roeder's number two at Norwich City would have perhaps been a popular choice at Brunton Park, as would former Foxes player Beardsley.

But Abbott - who has signed an 18-month contract - has earned his chance and the former Leeds United youth team manager was delighted to break the news to the players at training yesterday.

He said: "This is a really exciting opportunity.

I am absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job of manager of Carlisle United on a permanent basis.

"I can guarantee everyone who has Carlisle United in their hearts that I will do everything in my power to bring success to the club. I have had a lot of support from the players, coaching staff, fans and the board and I know that will continue."

Carlisle's chief executive David Allen said everyone at the club was convinced Abbott - who was also caretaker manager last season - was the right man for the job.

He said: "There was never any firm timescale set over appointing a new manager. We were determined to make the right decision for the club and not rush into anything.

"We had a lot of very good applicants for the job to consider, including many from established and experienced managers, some of who are in good positions with other clubs at the moment.

"But Greg knew he would be given a fair crack at earning the job himself this time and our thoughts always came back to him.

"Everything Greg has put in place over the last month, both on and off the pitch, has demonstrated that he is the right person for the job."

Meanwhile, Abbott has already made his first tough decision as permanent manager by informing former Sunderland and Newcastle striker Michael Bridges he will have to be patient as he wants to give current strike duo Danny Graham and Gary Madine a chance to continue their partnership.

Bridges, on a season-long loan from Hull City, has only started cup ties at QPR and Rochdale this term and the 30-year-old is desperate to prove he is still a class act at this level.

Abbott explained: "Danny has got his 11 goals, Gary's performance on Wednesday night against Crewe was good, and it is a case of where Michael can be slotted in. It has been said that your forward players are judged on goals and they rightly are.

If Danny and Gary aren't getting their goals then you have to try something different. Scott Dobie and Michael are both in there and there is a battle on for places.

"Michael and Scott have got to budge two players in good form."

CAPTION(S):

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE Greg Abbott has been given the Carlisle United job on a permanent basis.