Press Release Article

Friday 27th April 2001: Saving our Saturdays- launch of the Carlisle & Cumbria United Independent Supporters' Trust

CARLISLE United legends Hugh McIlmoyle, Jimmy Glass, George McVitie and David Reeves and a host of other stars past and present are lining up behind the formation of a supporters' scheme that could help bring Cumbria's only remaining league club back from the brink.

An independent supporters' Trust, the kind which has been so effective at many other clubs, is being launched in Carlisle at a massive public meeting on May 5th. While the Trust was established by and for the ordinary fans, MP's, community leaders, local businesses and many former players are already getting onside with the non-profit making body.

One of its main purposes will be to increase the influence of the community in the running of the football club. Formed as an Industrial and Provident Society under the Government's "Supporters Direct" scheme, it aims to acquire a shareholding in the company which owns Carlisle United and elect at least one supporters' director to the Board.

Trust member Alan Steel said "The club has been dying a slow and painful death over the past few seasons. Wherever they start next season, somebody has got to begin the process of getting United back to where they belong in the football world. "Supporters of this club are unique and deserve better than a team struggling yet again near the bottom of Division Three.

The incredible demonstration of support in the recent 0-6 defeat at Rochdale, where nearly 1,000 United fans shouted and sang non-stop despite the result, left even the most hard-nosed and cynical football pundits dumbstruck with admiration."
Carlisle solicitor John Wilson, another Trust member, said "This could represent a last chance for those fans and other like them to have a direct say in the fate of the Club. "The intention is that no money would be paid to any owner of the club, but only to the club itself in return for binding assurances as to the use of the investment.

Already local businesses have donated thousands of pounds and, with a contribution of just £3 a week from each regular fan (not much more than the cost of a bottle of beer) over the next couple of seasons, the supporters could raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to acquire a substantial stake in the club.

The trust launch is at the Sands Centre in Carlisle on Saturday, May 5th at 11am, the day of the last match of the season against Hull City. Many ex-players will be there and the anticipated full house will make it one of the largest public meetings in the city since the war and the largest-ever attendance for a Supporters' Trust launch. Every supporter is invited. Admission is free.

John Wilson said "We would like the Trust to work in partnership with any new owners and the local authority to help rebuild the club, and use a revitalised Carlisle United as a building block around which Carlisle and Cumbria's sporting future can be assured. Partnership is the only way forward if we are to avoid the well- documented problems of the recent past. "The events concerning Mamcarr and Stephen Brown were for many of those involved with the Trust was the final straw and were the catalyst which sparked the Trust's formation."

Notes to editors:
The Trust's Board includes MP's Eric Martlew (Carlisle) and Dr David Clarke (South Shields), who will be directly involved with its financial controls. The patron is famous Cumbrian broadcaster Lord Melvyn Bragg and many other Cumbrians, including writer Hunter Davies, and Carlisle City and Cumbria County Councils have lent their support.

As well as senior members of the legal and financial professions, local businessmen, university lecturers and members of the Cumbria and London supporters' movements, Trust Board members include ex- United striker Billy Rafferty and Dick Young, son of Carlisle's legendary coach from the glory era.

Before launching the venture, the Trust Board held exploratory talks with other Supporters' Trusts around the country including those of Bournemouth, Brighton, Northampton and Lincoln who have run similar ventures successfully.

Messages of Support:
Melvyn Bragg: "I want to do everything I can to support Carlisle United. Carlisle and Cumbria without a league team would be dire. Under good management United could become as remarkable as Ipswich."

Hunter Davies: "The Supporters' Trust is an excellent idea and has my wholehearted support. The city needs a Football League club. The Football League needs a club from Cumbria. The club needs open and proper management and as much participation from supporters as possible."