Press Release Article

Thursday 07th October 2004: Brooks in big match

Lifelong Carlisle fan Brooks Mileson gave a huge vote of confidence to the Carlisle United Trust today by donating £25,000 to the supporters appeal to buy a 25.1% stake in the club for the fans. The donation takes the fans trust well over the £200,000 mark in its quest to raise the just over £500,000 required. And in an even more remarkable move followed the donation with a promise to match any new donations to the Trust from 1st October 2004 pound for pound to help raise the rest of the £300,000 required.

Mr Mileson made the offer following a number of recent meetings with the Trust board and hopes that his offer will galvanise fans and the community alike into quickly raising the required money.

Commenting on the agreement Mileson said:

"Everyone knows of my feelings for Carlisle United and as a fan I feel that this opportunity should not be missed. The United Trust has done very good work to re-establish its aims and objectives recently and there are a number of excellent fundraising initiatives already in place. John Courtenay and now Fred Story have put a mechanism in place for the fans and members of the community to buy a share in United and I want people to see this for the opportunity it is and raise the money - we won't get another chance".

"What I am saying is if you put your money in I'll match it whether you're an individual putting in a pound or a company making a large donation. The club will really benefit from the cash injection from any money put in for shares and this will do a huge amount of good in the short term - and will go a long way to helping Fred and Paul Simpson in their quest to get the team back on the road to where it belongs - in the football league".

Kate Rowley, Chair of the United Trust, added:

"This is a magnificent gesture by Brooks and we are delighted that he has shown his support for what we are trying to do in such a generous fashion. We want to support Fred Story, Paul Simpson and the directors and players of Carlisle United by making good on our side of the share deal as quickly as possible and this will be a massive help".

The pledge by Brooks will match all monies coming into the Trust's share fund from 1st October 2004. This means that existing contributors will have their standing orders matched from this date; all new contributions, standing orders and donations will be matched and all income from fundraising events such as the forthcoming sportsman's dinner featuring Franco Baresi and Bryan Robson will also receive matched funding.

Details of how to give to the Trust and have your donations matched can be found on the Trust www.united-trust.org.uk or by contacting Kate Rowley on 07968 498 941.

Ends: 7/10/4 MDH
Press enquiries to Martin Horne 07799 064425.