Career
Without having played for Middlesbrough, Atkinson joined Hartlepool United on-loan in September 2014 but did not play for the first-team He signed for Carlisle United on-loan on 26 March 2015. He made his debut on 28 March 2015 in a 2-1 away defeat by Oxford United.
On 4 June 2015 David signed a short-term deal with Carlisle United.
He extended his contract until June 2017 on the 30th of December 2015.
