CUSG Meeting - Mon 16 Dec 19

For Clibbens - We understand Phillip Day is taking the shares in the club. How long will it take?

For Cuosc - why were the members of CUOSC not informed of the proposal which was made to us(CUOSC) which made John Kukuc resign? As members(some of us) we have a right to be informed.

They'll never admit they got it wrong as in their world "They can do no wrong"

CCU wrote: For the Club:

We’re now 4 Season’s into the ‘revamped’ EFL Trophy. We’ve played 9 Home games with a combined attendance of 9616, which gives an average of 1068.

These ‘crowds’ have seen our 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 12th and 19th lowest attendances in the Club’s history.

As a comparison, in the first half of this decade (Season 2010/11 onwards) we played 5 Home games in the Trophy with a combined attendance of 14742, which gives an average of 2948 - That’s a difference of 1880.

Chief Exec NC said “We hope to see the competion thrive” when the revised Format was announced in the summer of 2016 - www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2016/july/efl-trophy-confirmed/

Chairman AJ also said ”I appeal to you to support your club at these games. If you don’t, and you stay away, it does have an effect on the club financially. We completely understand that fans are sceptical, but it is a trial and we always need your support, whatever the circumstance.” prior to the start of the revamped games in 2016 - www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/football/car...sle-united-chairman/

Do the Club now think that the decision to vote for the inclusion of B/U23/U21 against the wishes of fans following consultation was a mistake, and that in doing so they helped contribute to the destruction of what was once a good competition for the lower League’s?

Answer - NO

Cracking question CCU and one that wants asking. I think the feeling is eventually fans will get used to the new format and accept it. Hopefuy that isn't going to happen.

My questions are both for CUOSC:
Were CUOSC consulted and part of the decision making regarding the sacking of Steven Pressley, if not when did they find out about his sacking?

Has CUOSC been asked to dilute its shares at any point this season, and would they ever do that without consultation with their members?

CCU wrote: Anyone checked on Mullen and Kessler?

Three and a half hours and no questions?!

You’ll wish you never said that.

I’m at our wonderful NHS this morning, once I’m back I’ll need to condense my 21 questions.

Bloody hell Mullen only 21 questions your slacking pal

Can you confirm the budget has been a bottom 4 budget for the last 2 seasons. Jenkins says this season is same as last year while Presley said it is in the bottom 4. What is the truth.

Club

The CUSG meeting minutes were delayed last meeting, could you please answer the following on them please?
The CUSG minutes are produced by CUSG and were with the club Friday at 11.30am in their final draft, why then were they not published?
What was the itinary of the media team, on the day of the Dulwich match, these are the people that publish the minutes and were reported to not be at the ground until 5pm, that was despite members within cusg being told they were busy at the ground all day?
Why were the minutes published late on Saturday night, could that not have been done Friday night?
If the club can't fulfill their obligations, should you be looking at another media person?
Could someone from CUSG not have a site login to publish them?
Who decided they'd be delayed, was a vote taken?
Could it not be planned better, so they could of been released before Friday?
Was there an increase in website traffic on the Friday of the Dulwich game?

Scoreboard delayed, disabled facilities delayed, door locks delayed, fixtures sign left for days, stand roof works delayed, cusg minutes delayed and many other examples - Can you understand why certain supporters feel the club is lazy, not bothered, can't plan anything and can't be arsed. I'm sure this might not be the case, but on the outside you must agree this doesn't look good?


According to Michael Knighton, Andrew Jenkins would never accept an offer for the club if it meant him leaving. Accoding to Kirdi, "Mr Jenkins will never leave" according to the trust Andrew Jenkins said to Fred Story that Robins Browns consortium were trying to take the club from him and spoilt his christmas that year. Admittingly not all are creditable people but the theme remains the same - therefore is it correct Mr Jenkins would never give up a director role in Carlisle United if an appropriate offer came in?

Why is John Nixon, the only one on both boards? Is this a requirement for his EFL/FA roles? Why if he says he does very little, is he on both boards? Why isn't Nigel Clibbens on both boards?

Was there a proper recruitment process for David Holdsworths director of football position? How many others applied?, if they wasn't why not and who reccomended him and picked him?

Has any director mentioned they would like to leave/resign recently?

Theres vague rumours that 2 serious offers have came in from Hanergy Holding Group, is this Internet talk or were there offer, interest, rebuffed etc?

Has the sports company (sorry name has alluded me) that looked into Bury been in touch with looking at a takeover/investment?

Can we have the procedure required for an initial approach of takeover/investment, how the club would like the proposal given, people to speak to etc. I.E What is the standard formal process?

Regarding the statement on the 22nd November - What does compliance with the EFL rules mean, with regards putting in a proposal. Speaking to the EFL, they only get involved once a proposal/contracts have been in place?


Regarding the statement on the 22nd November - "We would welcome being joined by other passionate financial supporters" thats not true is it! the club released a disgusting statement about Andrew Lapping when he was trying to help and riduculed Robin Browns attempts at just trying to help and are putting on the blockers on this latest Lumsdon attempt? - why would a respected person want to help? "who see the world in the same way as we do" thats the problem isn't it - it must be up to the boards standards (who I might add have ran the club disgracefully and are useless/without plan) what gives them the right to say this? What exactly is "Seeing the world the same way as the owners" - because anyone who see the world the same as the owners - i'd say the supporters don't want involved - more years of missary.

Why is Kevin Dobbinson seen at the club? what does he do, decisions he makes? why does he not have an official title?

Who wrote the statement that was released on the 22/11/19


Trust

You mentioned to a supporter the club was in talks with someone re investment/sucession - can we have your side of this as the club has said nothing is happening or nothings live?

Cumbrians.net

Why have you started the question process a week earlier than usual?

Can we have your opinion on the meeting minutes being delayed, for the last meeting?

For All

The official attendance at the home match to Cambridge was 4,041. Does this include any free tickets which are given away to schools and other groups? If it does, can you tell us what the attendance for that match was minus any free tickets issued?

For CUOSC

You say that you represent the fans voice. Most fans have no confidence in the BOD and want them gone. Will you issue a statement to reflect this feeling among fans, and say that CUOSC has no confidence in the current regime. If not, please explain why you are refusing to represent the fans voice.

For Nigel Clibbens

During your time at the club you’ve built up a positive reputation, even among your critics, for the way you respond to criticism. We feel confident that we can take any concerns to you and that we will be treated with respect, you will listen to us and respond. We don't feel confident that the other directors will treat us with respect if we take our criticism to them. Do you feel this is something the other directors need to work on improving that relationship with supporters, and in your opinion how best can they do that?

I'd like to edit Lumsden with Lumsdon.

Question for Chris whatever his surname is.

Any chance you can change your surname to Smith?

For Nigel Clibbens. You must have the patience of a saint. Why don’t you just tell Mullen to [censored] Off?

Dancingbear wrote: For Nigel Clibbens. You must have the patience of a saint. Why don’t you just tell Mullen to [censored] Off?

Because Kessler would ask 100 questions about it.

When, at some point in the future, PD takes over, will you push for Jenkins, Nixon and Pattison to get life bans from the boardroom for the damage they have inflicted on CUFC.

May I ask as a supplementary question to one of Mullen's questions regarding John Nixon. 'As well as being a director on both boards, Mr Nixon is also the company secretary for both companies. Is this not an unfair burden on a man in his 70s who has many other commitments with the FA and EFL and receives no remuneration from the Club and even has to put money into the Club now on a regular basis?'

For a change some good questions from both Mullen and Kessler.

Can you give us an answer, in detail and in normal understandable English, why the recent approach was discarded almost without discussion/ consultation etc and why was it so secretive?
Also, what would it actually take for the club to welcome new investment? It seems wealthy local people and fans aren't wanted or needed nor fantasy billionaires.

Which leads on to - what are the plans of EWM and Day? Does nobody at the club see how depressed the fans are and how depressing the match day experience is?

On SP. Why on earth was he offered a contract in the summer when, under his guidance after sheridan, the team played awful football and dropped like a stone in the league ?

Following ccu's comments above, do the club admit that by choosing to go against nearly all the fans wishes, the vote to back the efl trophy format was a mistake? Isn't this a great opportunity now to admit a terrible mistake and start building bridges with the fans?

Will the team budget improve after Christmas and was SP right that it is in the bottom 5 in the division?

What will happen to any football fortune?

To the trust.. what do you do to represent the fans?

I'll give an update on the trusts site.

We aren't far away really - Myself and Alastair have been quite busy the last couple of week. I've been getting the layout/structure/forms sorted while Alastair has added extra content and sorted the formatting.

The aim of it for me was getting people to join online, instead of paper forms and allowing online voting for the AGM. I think thats been achieved and the forms can be amended as/when. It was also important that it was easy to update (if theres a change of personel), for whover and that seems sorted as well.

Theres still a little to do in terms of design, tarting it up - I can make things work but have zilch artistic knowledge. I may get someone I know to tart it up a bit and make it look better.

All in all its been fairly sucessful - not as quick as i would of liked but i've needed to take "health breaks" and some other work came in that took priority. The trust have been good and let me get on with it - no dramas.

Mullen103 wrote: The aim of it for me was getting people to join online, instead of paper forms and allowing online voting for the AGM. I think thats been achieved and the forms can be amended as/when. It was also important that it was easy to update (if theres a change of personel), for whover and that seems sorted as well.

Yeah that last bit is important because when they were asked why they don't update the site much, didn't they say it was set up in a way that they couldn't just log in and post a news update? I think you said you were using Wordpress for the new site? That will make it much easier to post updates, they can log in and post news as easily as posting a tweet.

Kessler wrote:

Mullen103 wrote: The aim of it for me was getting people to join online, instead of paper forms and allowing online voting for the AGM. I think thats been achieved and the forms can be amended as/when. It was also important that it was easy to update (if theres a change of personel), for whover and that seems sorted as well.

Yeah that last bit is important because when they were asked why they don't update the site much, didn't they say it was set up in a way that they couldn't just log in and post a news update? I think you said you were using Wordpress for the new site? That will make it much easier to post updates, they can log in and post news as easily as posting a tweet.

Their current site is hardcoded - so it's hard to update quickly, still doable though. With Wordpress it's easy to create a new page/post and doesn't need Alistair to do it.

Very quiet with questions people must be happy with the way the clubs run

I think Mullen has cornered the market.

Questions for Nigel Clibbens:

Why will the Custodians of the football club and EWM not talk to interested parties wanting take the club forward?

What role does Kevin Dobbinson have at the club?

Bumble wrote: I think Mullen has cornered the market.

Must be good questions

It’s less than half than I originally had.

I think lummy asked one on another thread about the shirt display - that should be added.

Bumble wrote: I think Mullen has cornered the market.

Richard is Richard and should not change. He asks questions because its his club and our club that is sitting in league 2 with no future.
Too many people engage with the club and tow the regime of make do.
If we don't ask and keep asking the club will get even worse.

Questions for the club:

Do the club intend to employ a sales/marketing/commercial manager anytime in the near future?

Who is filling the role at the present time?

Are the club happy that they are maximising their revenue potential in this department at present?


Question for CUOSC:

Why did it take the best part of 3 months to announce your Chairman had stood down?


Question to whom it may concern:

What has been the overall feedback towards the retro shirt display on the east stand staircase?

Frank, I may be wrong but I thought Jenny Anderson (I think that’s her name) was doing it.

Ok as a result of hearing Lummy on RC 2 mins ago......

Q. Have the club put pressure on Leeds to cough up for McCarron and Galloway. We understand nothing has been paid yet.

Q. Why agree to "sell" these young players if no money is forthcoming.

Lakelandterrier wrote:

Bumble wrote: I think Mullen has cornered the market.

Richard is Richard and should not change. He asks questions because its his club and our club that is sitting in league 2 with no future.
Too many people engage with the club and tow the regime of make do.
If we don't ask and keep asking the club will get even worse.

I’m just a supporter wanting to be proud of supporting the club I support instead of feeling embarrassed.

I ask questions because I want the club to be better and more importantly know why decisions have been taken, going to be taken and hold people to account of their “inept” actions.

At the moment there’s people involved in the club, high up, that honestly say supporters are an inconvenience and are using the club for their own self importance, self worth and for what else they can get.

We are 22nd in tier 4, we deserve better than this! Instead of the shite that’s sprouted out that the club is healthy we are the envy of most clubs.

At least if the club goes under Mullen can say he tried doing something about it and didn't just sit on his arse allowing it to happen. Imagine if every fan asked difficult questions and went to protests, do you think the club would be in the state it is now?

I think in all fairness EWM need till at least the summer to finalise their proposed takeover.

If it turns into another saga like the last billionaire incident then this would be a bigger farce as PD has had long enough to assess things and he has already seen the books so quite frankly then this would be unacceptable.

munchymagic wrote: I think in all fairness EWM need till at least the summer to finalise their proposed takeover.

If it turns into another saga like the last billionaire incident then this would be a bigger farce as PD has had long enough to assess things and he has already seen the books so quite frankly then this would be unacceptable.

EWM/P Day have knowns the state of the club since 2017 when they were begged by the Custodians to help because they are skint.
It should be straight forward debt for equity meaning he takes control.

Kessler wrote: At least if the club goes under Mullen can say he tried doing something about it and didn't just sit on his arse allowing it to happen. Imagine if every fan asked difficult questions and went to protests, do you think the club would be in the state it is now?

When I wrote the original post it was actually in jest, when I read it back it did sound a tad harsh, but I couldn't add a smiley cos it won't edit so I let it stand.

I have said before I think Richard asks too many questions at a sitting and would prefer him to limit himself to just a few each month (totally my own opinion). I think as it stands it's very easy to write off difficult questions by saying, "yeh, it's only one or two folk on a message board stirring up trouble". Whereas if a lot of folk all asked just two or three questions it would like more folk cared.

I'm actually quite comfortable to ask difficult questions and frequently do, but those folk who really aren't interested in the politics and succession are just as much Carlisle United fans, and in my opinion have every right to sit on their backsides and do nowt.

munchymagic wrote: I think in all fairness EWM need till at least the summer to finalise their proposed takeover.

And until then you are losing another few fans every week, and once those people find something else to do on a weekend you might not get them to come back once EWM take over.

munchymagic wrote: If it turns into another saga like the last billionaire incident then this would be a bigger farce as PD has had long enough to assess things and he has already seen the books so quite frankly then this would be unacceptable.

It's all very well saying that but fans have shown over and over again that no matter how "unacceptable" something is, they keep putting up with it. When it's time to protest or boycott, it seems like nobody can be arsed. So why would it be different this time?

Lakelandterrier wrote:

munchymagic wrote: I think in all fairness EWM need till at least the summer to finalise their proposed takeover.

If it turns into another saga like the last billionaire incident then this would be a bigger farce as PD has had long enough to assess things and he has already seen the books so quite frankly then this would be unacceptable.

EWM/P Day have knowns the state of the club since 2017 when they were begged by the Custodians to help because they are skint.
It should be straight forward debt for equity meaning he takes control.

He virtually is running the show anyhow and doesn't seem to want any interference which must mean he is serious about this.

The embarrassing side of this for Holdsworth/EWM/The Board was that they were horrified at the money Curle was spending and made this public and then they go out and sign terrible players on more money.

I am basing this on what Jenkins said when he stated that the playing budget for this season was higher than last and Lummys comments.

Bumble wrote: When I wrote the original post it was actually in jest, when I read it back it did sound a tad harsh, but I couldn't add a smiley cos it won't edit so I let it stand.

Fair enough.

Bumble wrote: I have said before I think Richard asks too many questions at a sitting and would prefer him to limit himself to just a few each month (totally my own opinion). I think as it stands it's very easy to write off difficult questions by saying, "yeh, it's only one or two folk on a message board stirring up trouble". Whereas if a lot of folk all asked just two or three questions it would like more folk cared.

But if the club were more open with fans on a regular basis about stuff thats happening, lots of Mullens questions wouldn't need to be asked. The club seem to have this idea it's just a minority of fans who are unhappy with them, I disagree. For every one person who is complaining, there are dozens of fans you don't see, who have just got fed up and walked away from the club. The low attendance at previous protests isn't because most fans are happy with the regime, it's because people feel that nothing they do will change anything so why bother.

Bumble wrote: I'm actually quite comfortable to ask difficult questions and frequently do, but those folk who really aren't interested in the politics and succession are just as much Carlisle United fans, and in my opinion have every right to sit on their backsides and do nowt.

They do. But I think it's pointless to moan about stuff unless you are willing to actually try and change things. If you're unhappy with the state the club is in, consider boycotting or going to the protest next week. It might not change anything at all, but it's got a better chance of working than just having a moan on here. If the club dies I bet there will be plenty of fans angry about it. But a lot of those fans will be the same fans who have stood back and allowed it to happen.

Bumble wrote:

Kessler wrote: At least if the club goes under Mullen can say he tried doing something about it and didn't just sit on his arse allowing it to happen. Imagine if every fan asked difficult questions and went to protests, do you think the club would be in the state it is now?

When I wrote the original post it was actually in jest, when I read it back it did sound a tad harsh, but I couldn't add a smiley cos it won't edit so I let it stand.

I have said before I think Richard asks too many questions at a sitting and would prefer him to limit himself to just a few each month (totally my own opinion). I think as it stands it's very easy to write off difficult questions by saying, "yeh, it's only one or two folk on a message board stirring up trouble". Whereas if a lot of folk all asked just two or three questions it would like more folk cared.

I'm actually quite comfortable to ask difficult questions and frequently do, but those folk who really aren't interested in the politics and succession are just as much Carlisle United fans, and in my opinion have every right to sit on their backsides and do nowt.

I never took it in a bad way and your point is valid.

I’d love nothing more to ask no questions at all - then things are fine.

My own admission, I ask too many questions but someone has too. Bumble has a point that if it’s me each week asking loads then the usual suspects comment will come.

Questions for the club:
Will Chris Beech be given any meaningful money in the January transfer window to replace the dross currently occupying the blue shirts?
Why is Holdsworth still with the club as he must share the blame for the situation we are currently in

Mouldy wrote: To be fair Mullen, I actually think the group is warming to you. Without pointing blame to any individuals, I used to feel there was a general view of ‘oh well it’s Richard Mullen it can’t be taken seriously’ or ‘I’ll take him seriously if he comes to games’ but that does genuinely seems to have changed now.

I’ve tried to table the idea of ‘your biggest critics are sometimes a useful tool to improve’ a few times. You fall into this category perfectly, in my opinion. You criticise where you feel required (not saying I or everyone else always agrees) but you do also balance it up with giving credit where you think it’s required.

Keep asking questions, it’s encouraging good discussion I think.

Thanks Mouldy

I think previously there were issues and the club/group put up barriers to everything I said and were defensive instead of listening. However I went about things the wrong way at times as well, I’ve made mistakes but it’s good to know there listening. I do agree questions start a good discussion whether you agree or not.

I’m wondering if the group has ever thought of having John Halpin or a member of his team there. There seem to be doing things right and get lots of praise, but it’s never really heard much. I think having someone from that team may help and will have contacts will a whole host of people.