The Central Coast Mariners are delighted to announce that the club has agreed to the transfer of midfielder Alfie McCalmont with Carlisle United.
McCalmont is a tenacious, all-action midfielder with an eye for goal and joins the club from Carlisle United, following former teammate Ryan Edmondson who also swapped Cumbria for the Central Coast in January.
A Leeds United Academy graduate, McCalmont also reunites with his former coaches, Mark Jackson and Danny Schofield, at the Mariners.
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Born in North Yorkshire but eligible to represent Northern Ireland at International level, McCalmont has represented his country from U17s all the way through to senior level, collecting four caps to date.
Alfie joined Leeds United’s Academy aged nine and played for Jackson and Schofield, alongside Edmondson, for the U18s and U23s before going on to feature twice for the first team under Marcelo Bielsa.
McCalmont furthered his development with a series of loan spells away from Elland Road in the English Football League, where he had amassed 100 senior professional appearances by the age of 23.
His first move away from Elland Road saw him join Oldham Athletic for the 2021/22 season, with McCalmont hitting double figures in all competitions.
2020/2021 🎥. pic.twitter.com/fLru8BJf3M
— Alfie McCalmont (@alfiemccalmont4) May 20, 2021
Another loan spell followed, and he stepped up to League One, racking up another 37 appearances with Morecambe. The highlight of that season was an FA Cup 3rd Round trip to Tottenham, McCalmont provided an assist as his team took a shock lead before going down 3-1 to the Premier League giants.
McCalmont then first joined Carlisle on loan in January 2023, helping them to promotion from League Two with two goals in 16 league starts, which was enough for Carlisle to make the move permanent ahead of the 23/24 season.
Alfie’s range of attributes including his energy, tackling, passing and shooting ability means he can be deployed anywhere in Jackson’s midfield system and our Head Coach is excited to work with him again at the Mariners:
“It’s fantastic to get Alfie McCalmont over the line. He’s a player I know really, really well. Similar to the relationship I have with Ryan Edmondson, I’ve known Alfie from a young age, worked with him a lot and watched his career develop in England.” Jackson said.
“He’s a vastly experienced player even though he’s only 24. He’s amassed a lot of league appearances in England, so he brings experience to the team despite being a young age.
“Alfie’s a defensive midfielder but we know he can play higher up the pitch as well. I know he fits into the team as a player and importantly, I know from a cultural point of view, he will fit into the club. We’re really looking forward to welcoming Alfie to the club and getting to work with him.”
McCalmont is eager to get to the Coast and get started, excited for the season ahead, pending visa approval.
“I am delighted to be joining the Central Coast Mariners. Knowing Jacko and Danny quite well from my time at Leeds, being able to work with them again is a great opportunity for me,” he said.
“I loved working with them in England and to see their success last season, it has been an easy decision.
“I have spoken to Jacko a lot about how he wants me to play in this team, the style suits me a lot, keeping the ball moving and attack minded. I can’t wait to get to the stadium and play in front of our amazing fans this season.”
