 Carlisle was inspired to become a footballer by his father , Mervin , who played semi @-@ professionally for Morecambe and Southport . Carlisle started playing at a young age and represented Lancashire at under @-@ 15 level , before being signed by Blackpool where he became a trainee with the youth team . Carlisle signed a professional contract with the club on 13 August 1997 and moved into the first team squad . On 2 September 1997 , he made his debut for Blackpool in the side 's 4 – 3 victory over Wrexham in the Second Division . He scored his first goal as a professional footballer with the 90th @-@ minute winner in the following match , a 2 – 1 win against Carlisle United at Blackpool 's home ground , Bloomfield Road . He was shown the first red card of his career in Blackpool 's 1 – 0 victory against Wigan Athletic in the quarter @-@ final of the Football League Trophy on 27 January 1998 . He played 12 matches in his first season , scoring two goals . 
