carlisle was born in preston, lancashire. he grew up in the city with his parents, mervin and rose (née edgar). as a teenager, he attended balshaw's church of england high school in leyland and attained 10 a-grades at gcse. he went on to study a-level mathematics and politics at ealing, hammersmith and west london college while he was unable to play football due to an injury. carlisle has a degree in professional sports writing and broadcasting from staffordshire university, and has expressed interest in taking up teaching work following his football career.