IT has been more than five years since Bradford City last visited Carlisle United in the league, and there could be a long wait for another trip to Brunton Park the way this season is developing.

The Bantams were last in the same division as the Cumbrians back in 2013/14, when both were up in League One.

City thumped Carlisle 4-0 at Valley Parade in the August, but they were left with a miserable trip back home in the February, losing 1-0 at Brunton Park.

That victory was one of few highlights for Carlisle in the league that year, as they were relegated in 22nd place.

They nearly went down again the following year, but managed to finish 20th in League Two, before four decent seasons in a row, including a play-offs appearance in 2016/17.

That season saw future Bantams star Charlie Wyke top score with 14 goals, but he is long gone now.

The Cumbrians are struggling to score goals, with just 20 in 22 games, and have conceded a hefty 35 to boot.

That has left them sitting in 22nd, just one place above the relegation zone, and all of those statistics should give fifth-placed City confidence for the trip up north.

Revenge for that League One defeat in 2014 is long overdue after all...

And for any fans hoping for three points to accompany their journey up to Brunton Park on Boxing Day, here is all the vital information you need to know.

GROUND

Venue: Brunton Park

Capacity: 17,949

Address: Warwick Road, Carlisle CA1 1LL

TICKETS

Unfortunately, fans can no longer buy tickets online, but they are still available on matchday.

Bantams supporters travelling to Brunton Park can purchase match tickets from the away ticket office, behind the East Stand, and will be seated in Pioneer Stand section 3.

Admission prices are as follows:

Adults: £22

Senior (65+): £19

Young Person (18-22): £16

Junior (11-17): £10

Child (Under-11): £7

Child (Under-7): Free

Ambulant Carer: Free

Wheelchair User + Carer: £4

One Adult + One Junior: £30

One Adult + Two Juniors: £38

One Senior + One Junior: £27

TRAVEL

The main concern for the big day is how to get there, how long it will take to get there, and where on earth you’re going to park.

Train: I'm afraid you'll be struggling here. There is no train route from Bradford to Carlisle on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, so you'll want to be driving up or getting a lift from a friend or family.

Car: The quickest route, according to the AA, is via the A65 and M6.

Heading out of Bradford, get yourself on to the Aire Valley Road/A650 (Keighley). About three miles later, move on to the A629 (Skipton/Colne).

After getting on to Skipton Road, and after around 10 miles on the A629 in total, at the roundabout, take the second exit on to the A65.

Taking various exits to stay on the A65, you will be on that road for just over 35 miles.

At around the 55-mile stage of your journey, take the second exit at the roundabout on to the A590/A65.

Then, pretty much straightaway, at the roundabout, take the third exit on to the M6 ramp to Penrith/North Lakes and merge on to the M6.

After 50 miles on the M6, at junction 43, take the A69 exit to Carlisle/Hexham/Newcastle.

You'll almost immediately reach Rosehill Roundabout. From there, take the first exit on to Rotary Way/A69 and continue to follow the A69 for another mile.

You will then be able to turn right onto Thirlwell Gardens and Brunton Park will be on the left. The whole journey should take around two hours and 20 minutes if traffic isn't an issue.

Remember, the address for Brunton Park is: Warwick Road, Carlisle CA1 1LL.

PARKING

The club car park, which costs £3, can be found by turning right immediately before Brunton Park, and it is well advertised. It is open from 12:30pm on the day of the game.

Otherwise there is street parking around the ground, or you can rent a private driveway nearby in the area via YourParkingSpace.co.uk

PUBS

The part of the guide you all look out for. Here are the best places to grab a pre-match pint:

The Carlisle Rugby Club, next to Brunton Park on Warwick Road, has a club bar which allows in away supporters and is family friendly.

Also near to the ground on Warwick Road is the Beehive, which serves real ale. The pub does employ doormen on matchdays and for certain games away fans may not be allowed entrance, although that is highly unlikely to be the case here

Some visiting fans recommend the Howard Arms, which is on Lowther Street, just off Warwick Road, towards the town centre. It serves a good pint of Theakston's.

Also, at the back of the main football club car park, there is the Stoneyholme Golf Club, which has a bar, serves food and welcomes fans on matchdays.

Others recommend the Lakeland Gate (around half a mile walk away from the ground) for a drink on match days. It is a family friendly pub and part of the Brewers Fayre chain.

Around ten minutes walk away on Victoria Road is the Magpie Inn, with one fan saying:

"The Magpie Inn is a brilliant pub with a mixture of home and away supporters, cheap beer and very tasty homemade burgers priced at just £2.50. There is also plenty of street parking available nearby."

Furthermore, if you leave the M6 at Junction 43 and take the A69 towards Carlisle, then you will pass a recently opened Toby Carvery, which is not far from the ground.

Finally, you can get a beer inside the ground at a cost of around £3.80 a pint. You can even pay for and pre-order half time drinks before the game starts.

At half-time the drinks are already poured and there is no need to queue. You can just go to end of bar and hand over your receipt.

PREVIOUS TEASER (Leyton Orient away):

Q: Leyton Orient have just been promoted to League Two after spending two years in the National League. Yet it was only five years ago that they reached the League One play-off final, blowing a two-goal lead before losing on penalties.

But who beat them on that fateful day in May 2014 to earn promotion to the Championship instead?

A: Rotherham United

THIS WEEK'S TEASER:

Which player began his professional career at Carlisle United in 1978, and went on to play for England at the World Cup in 1986 and 1990?