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Carlisle Plot Dramatic Owen Moxon Return if Promotion Dream Becomes Reality

Shane MacDermott
S. MacDermott
Sports Writer
Louis Hobbs
Sports Editor

2 minread

Carlisle United v Bradford City: Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg

Carlisle United v Bradford City: Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg by George Wood | Getty Images

Carlisle United could make an audacious move for old boy Owen Moxon if they regain their Football League status, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

Moxon was one of the Cumbrians’ talismen when they won promotion to League One with a Wembley play-off final success over Stockport County in 2023.

Ironically, the 28-year-old midfielder is now on County’s payroll after a 12-month stay on the South Coast with Portsmouth where his game time was limited.

Moxon joined Stockport on a three-and-a-half-year contract in February 2025. But he has been on loan at League One rivals Wigan Athletic since January and been a key figure under new boss Gary Caldwell.

He is due back at Edgeley Park at the end of the season but could be in limbo again next term, especially if County achieve promotion to the SkyBet Championship.

At the time Hatters chief Dave Challinor, in sanctioning the loan switch, described it as a re-set and said he wanted and expected more from his player.

Promotion Key For Cumbrians

Carlisle, under Manchester United legend Mark Hughes, are also unsure on which division they will find themselves for 2026/2027.

The National League outfit are two games away from promotion, starting on Sunday with a semi-final play-off against Boreham Wood.

Should they return to League Two after two seasons away, then Moxon’s home coming would be a massive fillip to the supporters as their side tries to consolidate in the EFL.

Moxon issued a heartfelt statement when he quit the club for then League One leaders, Portsmouth.

At the end of it he left the door open for a reunion with the Blues saying: "Goodbye for now. Maybe one day we will meet again.”

A one-time Carlisle Academy prospect, he played for Queen of the South before moving back to Brunton Park club for whom he made 82 appearances scoring nine times.

Shane MacDermott
Shane MacDermottSports Writer

Shane is a seasoned sports journalist and one of the most recognisable voices in the snooker pressroom. From Ronnie O’Sullivan to Zhao Xintong, he has sat down with the sport’s biggest names and broken hundreds of front-page national stories.

Alongside his work for SportsBoom, Shane regularly freelances for national outlets including the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star.

While cricket is Shane’s true passion, particularly Test cricket, he keeps it largely separate from his professional work. But don’t expect him to be sold on The Hundred as the future of the game.