TOPIC: CU owners 'no plans to speak' says Fans Rep

In today's N&S...;

www.newsandstar.co.uk/Carlisle-Utd-owner...bd8b-e8d46f7cf3c6-ds

Fair play to Claire for seemingly being so open about it.

"But it was claimed by the owners that the agent of the overseas suitor had been back in contact on March 14, and so it remained a "live option"."



"Gentlemen, play-offs looking out of reach, no? No worries to be had. My billionaire friend will see you right next season for sure. I will email again in June."

I can't wait until some lad sat at his PC in Belah comes forward and reveals it's been him all along.

Edit: Seriously though, how disappointing that the custodians are not even hiding their ways any more. See themselves as totally above the fans with no reason to answer questions.

Can't see how any of that benefits anyone, all it does it make differences even wider.

The way AJ/JN/SP have gone about their business both personally and on behalf of a Ltd body has been atrocious,had they carried out the same actions as a an employee, they would have been sacked on the spot.

We judge and criticize players for being idiots when representing our club, as well as the general effect a role model has on youngsters, what about Directors ??

Continually pressurising Claire, to confront the above three, knowing what we are dealing with, will not benefit anyone. (especially Claire) For now, we are stuck with mediocrity, with nothing likely to change anytime soon.

I think that was very brave of Claire and she gains my respect for asking the questions and getting answers.

The replies are very much as I expected. I know someone who is considering an investment approach however the first step to becoming involved would mean working with the current owners and effectively becoming a 4th owner. He dislikes AJ as much as anyone but sees 'infiltration' into the enemy camp as a necessary first step before other investors can be brought in. His move wouldn't change anything overnight so now he is concerned over the abuse he might get for appearing to support the current owners while he seeks to change things gradually from the inside.

The problem is a hostile approach (and I'm including Laffy's plan in this definition) is not going to be welcomed by the owners. Any successful first step towards change is going to need new investors appearing to work with and support the current owners and therefore receiving the same criticism. No wonder we've reached the current stalemate.

So there you have it, I wonder? is there is one individual determined to cling on to power and pursue a personal agenda to climb his own football league ladder whilst convincing the other two gullible characters that he has only the club's interest at heart, a Machiavellian plot if ever there was one and so transparent it beggars belief, or could I be mistaken?.

I'll post the notes after the match as usual.

carwash wrote:

Your friend will need at least £1.8 million or he'll be wasting his time. Jenkins wants his money back, in full, before he even considers going anywhere. I see the point about abuse being aimed at him but would be more worried about his sanity in even considering attempting to work with those dinosaurs.

Set of ****s!

Better late than never I suppose, the question should of been answered before now.

Not surprised by the answers to be honest there'll be ripped to shreds for lying. Need to get rid of all the stupid groups and just have one aim to get rid of these muppets.

Bruntonpasty I agree Jenkins eventually wants his money back in full and I think that is what has to be addressed for the eventual solution. As neither AJ or JN have any plans to step down I think the only prospect of something changing is for a phased replacement of AJ and Pioneer's debt with investment from local businessmen. Trouble is the local businessmen will be accused of propping up the old regime until they get full control.

Why should he expect his money back ..he lost it due to his own.incompetence..

We need to let these ignorant [censored] to know how we feel and fk the happy clapping brown nosers who try to get in the way or ones who are oblivious. ...if you continue to say nowt or not be bothered... wake up its time fans forced changes...Our club is fkd...

Sent from my GT-I8200N using Tapatalk

Agree Jenkins and Nixon were wholly reponsible for our demise from League 1.... they created the loss themselves driving the fans away. Why should someone else stump up to pay them for their incompetence? More than 5 years ago before tjey lost yje money they were told what they were doing to the club. But Nixon went on RC etc and said Abbot was doing a great job all wss well.... this just shows they dont take responsibility for tjeir own actions.... they should [censored] off now 7 years of this crap.....

just for the sake of clarity, I don't believe anyone should bale Jenkins out to take control of the club. In my opinion, he deserves some credit for putting the coin in but nil credit for making a hash of running the show in the first place. The custodians are not the future.

Fair play to claire for writing that.

Wonder what norman steel and his merry band of trust cretins have to say. No doubt ccuist were planning to ask these questions and be openly critical as part of the next 5 year plan due for release in 2020 when the trust will be rebranded as [censored]

I'd've thought is Norman Steele was representative of the fans then we wouldn't need Claire.

Fair play to Claire we've heard 100 times more off her than we have from Steele over the years, the exception being when he backed Greg Abbott when we lost 5-0 every week (Mike Edwards..) and every single supporter wanted him sacked.

carwash wrote:

Lufbrablue wrote:

A cretin and a c**t - very nice. This cretin/c**t (or both) missed 15 minutes (again) today having volunteered to help assist ticket office staff (again) in an attempt to get fans into the ground quicker.

For what it's worth, questions have been asked yes. And there will be news on this over the new couple of days - and no, this isn't happening because of what Claire has mentioned today. There were always plans to update cuosc members on certain matters within the last couple of weeks, but this was delayed slightly because of the sad news regarding Dick Young.

Feel free to constructively criticise, but remember that for most (myself included) this is a voluntary role, with no benefits attached. I can't remember the last time I spent a few hours pre-game in the Beehive/Sunset with family/friends, or getting into the ground to see kick off. So, suggest ways for improvement by all means, but calling me a cretin and a c**t is completely uncalled for.

Mullen103 wrote:
Just a reminder that the questions that were sent to me about this stuff were originally sent to CUOSC to answer / discuss with the HC because i sit on 1921 and they have more contact. If they'd have asked them i wouldn't have needed to / wait. But they've been asked and answered so that'll do. It really doesn't matter to me where things are asked / answered. It is easier being independent but then it's hard when i can't hide either. As I've said in the notes i expected a lot of criticism today so it's been unusual not to have had any.

Anyway, the next programme blurb won't be the hartlepool one as i missed the deadline! Winder Out!

Deano. It wasnt directed at you personally but the trust in general. Fair play for volunteering but i still have limited faith in the trust. They have overseen this slump as much as the custodians and their latest plan to raise 500k was comical.

Perhaps when mr steel steps down things will change

Well done, Claire.

The only thing that surprises me was that your contribution in the programme wasn't redacted.

Deano I so value your contribution to "Our Club". I saw it first hand.

I might disagree with everything Mike says on here but at the end of the day it's just a difference of opinion. I have many great friends who disagree with everything with. Not liking some personal messages on here at the minute.

If your willing to help someone no matter how big or small you deserve credit.

We all knew what the owners were like now Claire's confirmed and its in writing. Griff on the other board has called for Claire to resign. If I was Claire I'd hold out for the year and end it and hopefully no one else will apply as its obvious that us fans don't deserve a voice really. Seems any questions that overstep the 1921 board are blanked and discussed in private between AJ and JN.

Thankfully for them we won today otherwise the Hartlepool game would of been interesting. But as we are still in the play off race nothing will be done.

cufcdeano wrote:
Your voluntary work is very admirable deano but nobody is forcing you to do it! What are you wanting a medal!

No, just a bit more respect.

Please, please, no more Andy Bell jokes.

Mullen103 wrote:
Not for anything that she has/hasn't done, but to make a point to the Board that they can't treat supporters like this. Piglet seems to agree. Jon Colman was commenting before the game that he's sent lists of questions to the Board three times, twice at their invitation, and still hasn't had the courtesy of a reply. If the BoD won't answer any question from anyone, what's the point of a Fansrep? It isn't all about putting up shower curtains, surely?

boards.footymad.net/carlisleunited-mad/2...#CYPzCico5jyCtoyV.97

I agree with you Griff, its just i don't see Claire resigning her position so the next best thing will be to resign the position when her tenures up and making sure no one else applies for what is proven to be a pointless position.

Without Claire you wouldn't of got this info officially. So thats a bonus and fair play to Claire for writing this.

Aye, fair play to her for that Mullen. Not sure anyone can make sure that no one applies for the position next time round though. I wouldn't put it past the Board to put up a patsy if that happened though.

Exactly Griff but at least we will know.

Out of the applicants i still believe Claire was the boards choice due to her connections to the virgin bloke, sorry forgot his name, a bit matey with SP. But i'm sure they didn't like the notes in the program, not sure how they went through in that context to be honest, the next meeting Claire goes to will be interesting.

There was a shortage of programmes yesterday.

Club shop sold out by 2pm. Only reason I know is when I asked the lad who sold them, he was pissed off because they whipped 10 off of him and all the other sellers around the ground so he got less money.

The headline is misleading - the owners have spoken out just via Claire instead of direct. They're happy to keep bankrolling the club and need someone else to step in and do the same when the time comes but have no plans to put a succession plan in place now. What other business would be run like this? This will only end one way.

The worst thing to happen to Carlisle Utd is Keith Curle. His relative success so far as manager has allowed the owners breathing space - from fan discontent because the playing style is good and results are ok and also because KC is on board with ensuring the finances are in order. This time last season they were on the ropes.

The owners are now trading the chance of long term success and stability for short term and the perceived kudos they get from being in charge. If they want kudos then its time to put a plan in place which will ensure the long term future of the Club in the football league, a plan that has community engagement at its core. A plan like the two that have been proposed already!

Someone will need to present these ego maniacs with an exit strategy that will allow them to take the credit for securing the clubs long term future. Its the only way they will go. Either that or the fans need to stop attending games, this will accelerate the inevitable path the Club is on and may jolt them into considering the offer on the table.

For what it's worth I would rather have a fans rep rather than nothing.My advice to Claire would be to stay the course as she has proven to be no ones patsy.

The idea of a succession plan was something I raised at outset.Without AJ,there are a number of issues,but the first practical one will be signing off the annual audit and accounts as a going concern.If the Club trades in negative cashflow each season,something the current owners seem to take as a given,someone needs to sign off/effectively underwrite the next 12 months cashflow.

Without being too negative,only AJ has the means to do so.

I know all this as this was something the major shareholder at Motherwell was asked to do each year.

This season should see a positive cash position but the auditors will be looking at next year in signing off the accounts.

Most lower league clubs are in the same position so Carlisle are far from unique.What has highlighted the issue is the total dependency on AJ and family over the last 5/6 years.

Mullen103 wrote:
Well he hasn't worked for Virgin since before Christmas, so it's not going to be an issue next time round.

Too little too late from the trust I'm afraid. They've had ample opportunity to put such questions to the board and report back to the fans. To say they'll release something in the next few days after someone else has just done what they should have done is pathetic in all honesty.

Whilst I salute your, and others, hard work on a voluntary basis Deano, doesn't it just highlight what a shambles of a club we support when they rely on volunteers to get less than 2,000 paying home fans into the ground on time?

cufcdeano wrote:
When where the questions handed over to the Trust Deano? When where those questions asked?

From what I can remember, it was a fair while ago. When I say a fair while, I mean like before Christmas.

Found the answer to my own question.

Claire_Like_Eh wrote:
thecumbrians.net/index.php/forum/main-forum/1831-chat-questions

That was on the 3rd Jan.

Dick Young sadly died on the 4th March.

The Trust had had the questions for 2 months at this point.

franksidebottom wrote:
They've just released a fairly length statement...

Not Quite sure why but they printed less programmes than they normally do



Armo wrote:

Carlisleprogrammes wrote:
Another form of censorship?

Probably the gruesome twosome hadnt vetted the content soon enough and when they read it grabbed as many as they could.

cufcdeano wrote:
In all honesty, why ?

You knew the reputation of the Trust when you joined it, and also knew that the majority of Carlisle fans had set views on it, regardless of the rebrand.

At the end of the day you choose to do it, nobody forces you.

DeckchairBlue wrote:
Yes, I'm aware that many have objections with the Trust/CUOSC. No, I was not fully aware of the reputation - I'm not quite out my 20's, and was only a child when the whole Fred Story/Trust episode occurred. I've read stories/comments about what happened, but certainly wasn't old enough to understand what was happening. I joined CUOSC as a member 2 years ago to find out more about what they did. Prior to that I'd looked at forming a Carlisle based supporters club; which included holding a few meetings to try and get something off the ground (which a few off here attended), and one in particular where our fans rep attended. It was at the last meeting that I was persuaded to consider the Trust - I should add, that no Trust board members were present at any of those meetings. So last year I took the plunge and applied to join the CUOSC board.

You're correct, I do choose to do it. I do it because I want the best for my club. I want to offer my time to do something to help the club in some way - CUOSC gives me that opportunity. Maybe things are slow going, and maybe big changes/improvements are needed, but for that to happen, other people need to want to be involved. I've said before and I'll say it again, if anybody feels they could do a better job, then please apply and you can have my position. It's no use screaming and shouting about Norman Steel being Chair for the past X years if nobody else has wanted the position. Whether you like it or not, CUOSC have a 25% shareholding, and that's not going to change any time soon. If fans will never draw a line in the sand and allow CUOSC to move on from past events, then what is the answer?

For the critics...what would it take for you to draw a line in the sand and allow CUOSC to start fresh? A complete re-election? What if the same 10-12, or majority at least are re-elected, then what?

Deano,
I'll have a go to respond.
Without an in depth knowledge of the history of the Trust, and why there is such bad feeling, you have no chance of understanding why things are as they are.
I could go over old ground, but will leave that for others.
My suggestion to find a way to wipe the slate clean would be for the Trust to;
i) make an offer to all future potential owners that the Trust will reduce the shares to 10%, with the proviso that the Trust is then treated as a Trust should be, with a seat on the board and also a separate lower level fans rep role
ii) desist from takeover talks, and leave it to those with money. Clinging onto the coat tails of others just makes it look like they are desperate for power at any costs
iii) pay off the Steel money (if you think you can raise £500K you can raise £50k?)
iv) new elections with number of posts for previous post holders (say pre last 2 years) strictly limited, and not in controlling positions
v) Have a proper media office with the power to speak for the Trust without spending four weeks consulting all (set up e-mail questions to trust members for major issues)

Not even sure this will do it for some, but you are pretty much in the last saloon position at present.

Cheers CarlisleWhite, appreciate you've taken the time to respond.

CarlisleWhite wrote:
The important bit in all that is only reduce to 10% for the right/known people who won't use the position of having over 75% to borrow in the clubs name or sell to those who would. (Not all potential future owners!)
That's not worth some short term popularity.

Edit to add this thread shouldn't be turning anti CUOSC or Trust it should be about our disgust at the other owners AJ and JN and their attitude to the press and supporters.

Keith,
Agree wholeheartedly about the right sellers, but with the offer of the share reduction, the Trust could ask for whatever terms are felt to be in the interest of the club and the fans.
I agree the thread has taken a side step, but the response was in relation to a question asked.

I agree that the thread has taken a sidestep but if the Trust hadn't p1ssed off big Fred would we be in this situation now with a couple of antiquated donuts refusing any contact with the real world and treating the supporters who turn up in spite of them like sh1t?

Perhaps the trust should get the freehold to Bp in return for their share dilution? They would at least then be able to presumeably prevent that asset being stripped or having money borrowed against it if the deal wasn't to the benefit of the club.

Arragorn wrote:
Seeing how much Fred has been involved or even visited the club since leaving, I think Fred would have wanted out anyway by now and only gave the three stooges the club to piss off John Courtney.