FOOTBALL League basement boys Carlisle United will provide an early test for Lancaster City when the new football season comes around.

Paul Simpson's Carlisle are facing up to life in the Nationwide Conference just as City are looking at the new challenge of Conference North and the two will meet in a friendly at Giant Axe on Saturday, July 31.

The game is one of three friendly fixtures already penned in for Phil Wilson's Dolly Blues, the other two being Bamber Bridge away (Tues-day, July 20) and Witton Albion away (Saturday, August 7).

Other friendlies will be any two from Blackpool, Preston North End, Crewe Alexandra and Morecambe.

Meanwhile, City have signed' a new board member in Steve Johnson of Garstang.