carlisle spent just one season with leeds united before signing for championship club watford in august 2005. in the 2005–06 season, his first with watford, the team finished third in the division and achieved promotion to the premier league via the play-offs. however, a thigh injury caused carlisle to miss the majority of the team's season in the top flight. in march 2007 he had a one-month loan spell at luton town. in august 2007, burnley manager steve cotterill bought carlisle from watford for a transfer fee of £200,000. in the 2008–09 season he played over 40 matches as burnley reached the semi-finals of the league cup and finished fifth in the league, earning a place in the play-offs. carlisle was named man of the match for his performance in the play-off final as burnley beat sheffield united 1–0 to return to the top tier of english football for the first time in 33 years.