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Blue Banter

For the second season running former Blues boss Paul Simpson grabs end of season attention at Brunton Park. Now in charge at Shrewsbury he signs two former Carlisle players as he strengthens a squad almost relegated from the league. Paul Murray, most recently a Gretna player and Stephen Hindmarch, released by the Blues at the end of the season, both head to The New Meadow.  On May 29th Kieren Westwood sits out the entire Ireland vs Columbia game at Craven Cottage on the bench. Dean Kiely – perhaps spurred on by the thought of Westwood’s inclusion in the squad - turns in a stunning performance in the Ireland goal to allow the Republic to hold onto their one goal lead.

On the final day of May The People identifies Kieren Westwood and Gary Madine as twin transfer targets for Newcastle United. The following day Gretna fold, reaction from Carlisle supporters is very mixed but plans are hatched to take the legendary Frideh Bewers message board thread to the Grentna board on June 13th, 3 days before their web site is taken down for good. On June 5th United announce a three year deal for Gary Madine. Over the next few days the varied rumours concerning the future of Kieren Westwood all focus on variations of one story. By June 13th the local press and BBC are confidently reporting the player has rejected a new deal at Brunton Park and Coventry City, having been rebuffed with a £400,000 offer, have ‘substantially’ increased the fee offered.

It is announced that United’s first opponents in the Carling (League) Cup are Shrewsbury, away. Some fan discussion follows on how the Blue Army should treat Shrews manager Paul Simpson. ‘Simmo’ does gain support and admiration in a CUFC team playing in the Northern Masters tournament in Newcastle on June 14th. United’s squad also features – amongst others – legend Jimmy Glass and  Rod Thomas (sporting a goatee beard). United lose to both other teams in their group, Newcastle and Sunderland.

On June 18th Kieren Westwood’s move to Coventry is confirmed at £500,000 with an additional £250,000 based on appearances, plus sell-on clauses.  Reactions are mixed though the majority combine disappointment at the fee with wishing for the former United keeper well. Fred Story indicates in an interview that the club have to regard talent brought on at Brunton Park as a means of raising money. Another former Blue moves for no money when Bradford City sign 30 year old Paul Arnison to a two year deal. Arnison tells the press in Bradford that he wouldn’t have signed a deal if Carlisle had offered one because he is keen on first team football.

With Westwood’s future settled the big talking point is the possible sale of the club. Rumours have been rife for a long time but the close season has driven them into overdrive with the message boards typically presenting more than one thread on the front page discussing the return of former owner John Courtenay, and the other potential buyers.  Courtenay goes public on June 18th, confirming his interest and assuring fans he would be less lenient as owner in a second spell. Roddy Collins would not be employed as manager, a fact that meets with 100% approval amongst fans.

On June 19th United announce the capture on a free-transfer of defender Josh Gowling from newly relegated Bournemouth. Within days the strongest rumours surround additions to the forward line with out of contract Doncaster

Rovers man Jason Price and young Livingstone forward Robert Snodgrass both named as transfer targets. However, without much advance rumour the next signing is Ben Williams. The 25 year old keeper is secured free on a Bosman ruling having fallen out of contract at Crewe Alexandra. Despite continued speculation on new players the next ‘signing’ at Brunton Park comes on June 30th when United confirm a one-year extension for midfielder Luke Joyce. The deal puts pressure on Grant Smith, the only member of the United squad still mulling over a new contract for the forthcoming season.

After increasing rumour United hold a press conference on July 3rd to reveal the new ownership team. Despite the rumour mill pushing John Courtenay above the other candidates the club announce the sale to a quartet of Cumbrian businessmen, all of them existing Brunton Park directors. In acquiring the 100 shares in CUFC Holdings previously in the possession of Fred Story the new team now own 93% of the club. Each of the team has specific responsibility for particular areas of Carlisle United’s operations.

David Allen: Chief executive, finance director and overseeing business, sponsorship and other financial matters.
Andrew Jenkins: Chairman, responsible for dealings with the Football League.
John Nixon: Managing director with responsibility for day to day running of the club.
Steven Pattison: Football director, responsible for youth development and the School of Excellence.

The predictable thanks to the former chairman and expressions of hope for the future ensue but two conflicting interviews with Radio Cumbria, one from Courtenay and one from Story present very different accounts of the goings on.. Courtenay expresses dismay, stating at various points:
I'm very disappointed, I'd been negotiating with Fred (Story) and talking things through over a number of weeks. We were very near resolution as far as I was concerned…… Then suddenly he changed his mind and went elsewhere.

The only Dave Allen I know is an Irish comedian.

Speaking of the press conference Courtenay added:
To be truthful it was a bit Sandie Shaw wasn't it, it was puppets on a string thing, it didn't sound very rational or logical.

My idea would be to be ambitious for Carlisle United, I do think it would take a good push for Carlisle to become a stabilised Championship team. I think that getting to the Championship would be a strong possibility, I think stabilising it there would cost money.

"I would have been prepared to do that,

Courtenay also indicates his legal team are disputing the sale because they believe an on-going issue with the sale of land near the ground to Courtenay means the club can’t be sold.

Fred Story sees things differently:
At the end of the day I have chosen to sell it to the four directors for one reason and one reason only, because I believe that they are the best people to look after Carlisle United.

I'm astounded by what John is saying. I really don't want to get into a public spat with John because he is a nice fella. It's just that his recollection of the facts always let him down.

Story suggests Courtenay had been an unreliable participant in negotiations for a long time and the sale of the club was done in the interests of stability and progress.

In the circumstances the acquisition on trial of 19 year old midfielder Dean Nicholson, and the eventual agreement of another year on the contract of Grant Smith are dwarfed as subjects of debate by the speculation on what the new ownership will mean. Nicholson’s less than impressive record, including an inability to break into the first team at Workington in the recently completed season, is taken as an omen of limited ambition.
With the dust still settling the squad undertake their first pre-season friendly at Kendal Town on July 11th.

 

July 11 2008

Kendal Town 0 vs Carlisle United 4 – Friendly

United fielded two separate teams in less than ideal conditions. Kendal’s small ground saw a crowd of over 1000 as the visitors dominated both halves but produced few real threats in the opening half. Three accurate second half crosses turn the game , Scott Dobie scoring from the first two and Danny Carlton netting from the third. In the closing exchanges Luke Joyce lobs the ball over the Kendal keeper for a quality goal and a very comfortable result. Simon Hackney’s performance is singled out for praise by the Blue Army.
United: 1st half: Williams, Raven, Murphy, Gowling, Campion, J Smith, Bridge-Wilkinson, Lumsdon, Taylor, Nicholson, Graham.

2nd half: Howarth, Horwood, Wordsworth, Livesey, Joyce, Hackney, G Smith, Thirlwell, Dobie, Madine (Gall 77), Carlton

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