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 team'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.