Pre-season friendlies provide an excellent chance for fans to trek to a number of venues they wouldn't normally get the chance to visit on a regular basis.

However, while North Enders haven't had reason to head north to Brunton Park for over a decade (a Friday night Sky game in October 1997 when goals from Gary Parkinson and Lee Ashcroft ensured a 2-0 win over a Carlisle side including current PNE coach Billy Barr, to be precise), two members of the current squad, Karl Hawley and Joe Anyinsah, have more recent memories of their time with the Cumbrian club.

We caught up with Hawley ahead of the game to discuss his successful stint near the border, which yielded 51 strikes and two promotions in a three-season whirlwind of adventure for the rejuventated outfit...

Will it be unusual for you to be running out against Carlisle at Brunton Park rather than for them on Saturday?

"Yes it's going to be strange in a way. I'll be heading into the away dressing room rather than the home one that I'm used to, and I'll be playing against some of the good friends that I made up there rather than playing alongside them."

You were obviously with the club during a great period in its history. Do you have any particularly fond memories of your time there?

"I'd probably say the League Two campaign when we got promoted. That was a good season personally and for the club, and probably the most enjoyable for myself while I was there."

When you first joined the club, could you possibly have envisaged the success that you went on to achieve?

"Not when I first joined them. When I first went there on trial and saw how many fans they got, even in the Conference, that showed me they were a club with great potential.

"At the time I wasn't really thinking about long-term success or the fact that they'd just been relegated, I was just happy to be getting fixed up with a club.

"I was primarily concerned with getting my contract and taking it from there, but the longer I stayed there, and the more success we had once we got into League Two, I could tell there was great potential for Carlisle to go on and achieve more."

Given the success you enjoyed while you were there, how disappointing was it for you that they couldn't kick on and join us in the Championship this season via the Play-Offs?

"I went to watch them in the game away at Leeds and they played really well. Obviously they did well in that leg but it all just seemed to fall apart in the return game at home, which was a shame.

"They've got some really good players, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were up there challenging again this season."

What sort of football do you think we should expect from the Cumbrians tomorrow?

"I'm not entirely sure, because obviously got a new manager since I was there, but I think they'll try and play proper football.

"They won't be over playing though, and I expect them to be putting balls into the channels. They've got some hard workers and players who are comfortable on the ball, so it's a good mix."

Earlier, you touched upon Carlisle's fans, who are renowned for turning up in great number. How much of a difference do they make to the club, particularly when the players need a lift from the lower levels?

"It's very important. When away teams are coming to your home ground, it's so much more daunting for them if you're backed by loads of home fans passionately wanting their team to do well.

"I think Brunton Park was a lot better than most of the other Conference grounds, so having that and the support of the fans was a big bonus to us - it was a great incentive to have so many people cheering you on, particularly in the Conference.

"They've got a wide supporter base, and there's even a London-based Carlisle supporters group, so there's some fair travelling involved to support Carlisle wherever you're based. We always used to take a fair following wherever we went, so there was a fair commitment there."

Turning now to modern day aspirations, and how important is it for you to do well against your old club on Saturday with the new campaign just a fortnight away now?

"Every player wants to show they can be a part of the first choice starting XI and I'm no different. I don't want to be sitting on the bench or in the stands so I have to do well now to make sure I'm starting come the ninth of August."

How much are you enjoying the pre-season prepararions?

"I think enjoying is a term that you wouldn't normally apply to pre-season, for obvious reasons! However, the gaffer has been spot on with his preparations, and they've been very well thought out.

"As players we expect to get worked hard throughout pre-season, and he hasn't disappointed us!"

A lot of the players seem to be expressing a similar sentiment that they feel very well prepared for the new season.

"I think our fitness is there, definitely. We have more work to do on team tactics for the new season, which I think will be coming in more over the next few weeks, and we just need another couple of weeks to work on our sharpness and we'll be setting our stall out for the new season."

Watching the friendlies over the past week against Everton and Morecambe, it appears that the team is doing particularly well at keeping the ball for longer periods. Is that a concerted effort on your part?

"Yes - the gaffer has expressed to us that he'd like us to keep the ball for as long as possible, but there's no major need to try and force things.

"We're trying to keep the ball moving with a quick passing game, and it's something that we've been working hard on throughout pre-season."

Whites World subscribers can tune in for live commentary of Saturday's game courtesy of BBC Radio Cumbria.

Join Derek Lacey and Derek Walsh from around 2.15pm by heading to http://mfile.akamai.com/6095/live/reflector:21666.asx?bkup=21990 and entering your login details as normal when prompted.