Press Release Article Monday 14th March 2005: Alleged dispute
We members of The United Trust Board feel that we must bring some truth to the alleged ‘dispute’ between the directors of Carlisle United and ourselves. Consistently we have stated that the current position of the Trust is in no way any different from the time it was launched in the Sands Centre in 2001.
The United Trust is not just about Kate Rowley and Alan Steel, we are a united group who believe passionately in the course we have undertaken. We also believe just as passionately in the aims of the Trust, which are to secure for the Trust members a stake in Carlisle United. That, whatever anyone says, has never altered. What has changed is the ownership and with it the promise that the shares available to the Trust (for an over inflated price) could be reduced by the owner once purchased.
Does it seem fair to you that trust members purchase 40% of shares for £800,000 and then the owner can dilute that share amount to an insignificant holding should he so wish?
We must never forget what Michael Knighton threatened to do in his last days at CUFC, close the gates and put the club out of existence, so it is imperative we purchase the shares to prevent this ever happening.
Let every supporter ask the question “Why does the owner appear not to want the substantial amount of money available to the club donated by our members for the shares which are actually worth next to nothing? When the club was bought from John Courtenay there was an agreement in place for the purchase of the shares, repeatedly the previous owner and present one have stated they want supporters involved, so why now say that although he wants the money for 40% he also wants the option to dilute those shares and sell them on to others.
A concerted campaign through the press has been mounted to discredit the Trust and in particular two of our Board members. The United Trust is not and never has been in the business of discrediting, undermining or verbally abusing those connected with CUFC; sadly, this is not the case from directors of Carlisle United. We can assure you that we are not egotistical or extremists – both of which we have been accused. We are ordinary supporters of CUFC. Throughout this difficult period members of the Board have acted with the utmost integrity, dignity and honesty.
Sadly, Paul Simpson was brought in to bolster the campaign against The United Trust on behalf of the club. We would hope that our players are professional enough not to let a share issue affect them on the field. We have asked ex professional CUFC players and many others their views all their replies echo the same response i.e. “We never let off field situations bother us - we are paid to play football” Does the big share issue at Manchester United affect their players?…..we think not.
We would sincerely hope that the 40% of shares with a no dilution clause could be made available as soon as possible so we can hand over the massive amount of cash we have available from our members. (This would of course be funds injected into CUFC that would not require any repayment.) We would further hope that the current propaganda campaign leaves managers and players well out of it. That is beneath contempt.
The reason that we are involved with the Trust is because we are committed supporters which have seen our club go through some awful times. We hope to prevent a reoccurrence of those awful times, and concentrate on supporting our team, which we do both home and away.
Brooks Mileson would never have donated over £600,000 to a group of extremists on an ego trip. To think such would be an insult to the man.
Brooks Mileson has stated:-
“ As a supporter of Carlisle United and a member of The United Trust I donated the balance of the funds required to purchase the shares and defuse the only argument coming from Brunton Park i.e. both the Club and Trust competing for funds from the same sources. Before donating the £600,000 my lawyers examined the agreement between The Trust and John Courtenay. Whilst this agreement is totally non commercial it is as it stands legal and binding over any change of ownership. The Trust members have a legal and moral right to purchase these shares. They are not extremists but a group of people who love their club and want to protect its integrity for future generations to come.”
All our Board are dedicated to helping Carlisle United Football Club and its supporters.
Alastair Woodcock
Norman Steel
David Nicholson
Kate Rowley
Chris Fuller
Jim Boyle
Alan Steel
Helen Fuller
Les Robinson
Martin Armstrong
Chris McMellon
Mike Cheshire
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