Carlisle United unveil four-man takeover team
Last updated 12:05, Friday, 04 July 2008
Carlisle United has unveiled a four-man team as its new owners - ALL of them currently club directors.
- Images: the new owners
- Video: watch the press conference
As revealed exclusively by the News and Star earlier today, Dalston accountant David Allen becomes chief executive and finance director with responsibility for the club's business, commercial, sponsorship and overall finances.
He is joined by John Nixon who remains as managing director; Steve Pattison who becomes football director and Andrew Jenkins who stays as chairman dealing with Football League issues.
United announced the moves in a news conference at 2pm today after owner Fred Story officially confirmed the end of his four-year tenure.
Mr Allen said: "All four of us are proud Cumbrians and long-term Carlisle United supporters and together we firmly believe that we can take the club forward to achieve its next goal of bringing Championship football to our home county for the first time for more than 20 years."
He also promised that money would be available to strengthen the squad in a bid for promotion.
The Gang of Four have jointly acquired all the 100 shares that Mr Story had in CUFC holdings, which owns 93 per cent of the club's total shares.
The remaining 34 shares in the club will stay in the hands of the Carlisle United Trust.
The new board will be completed by Phillip Day, owner and chief exec of Edinburgh Woollen Mills, Lord Clark of Windermere and Dick Young - all three again already directors.
The news brings a dramatic end to former owner John Courtenay’s protracted bid to buy back the club from Story, who is stepping down after successfully achieving financial stability for the Blues since 2004, a period which has seen the club rise from the Conference to League One.
Allen, who runs Dalston-based chartered accountancy firm David Allen & Co, joined United as finance director last year. He has close links to Story, having advised the outgoing owner when he bought the club from Courtenay in 2004.
Then Allen’s chartered accountancy practice became United’s auditor once the takeover went through.
His recent appointment as a director of Carlisle United forced David Allen & Co to resign as auditor to prevent a conflict of interest.
Courtenay had gone public with his attempt to claim back control of the club but the colourful Irishman has seen his bid fail.
The new Blues regime outlined their plans for the future at the press conference held in Foxy’s Restaurant at Brunton Park.
Mr Allen added: "We would like to thank Fred Story for all he has done for the club over the last four years. Now it is our turn to play the lead role in trying to bring more success to United. We will not only bring continuity to the club, which has paid a heavy price for the instability of previous regimes prior to Fred's takeover, but we also have a genuine local passion to fulfill clearly defined ambitions for the club.
"We believe the current infrastructure at Brunton Park, both on and off the pitch, gives us the platform from which to go on and achieve those goals. However, money will be spent to bring in new players to help our achieve our objectives for the club and Blues fans."
According to David Allen & Co’s website, Mr Allen is “a partner with a wide range of expertise and focuses on specialist projects and business consultancy.”
His practical and pro-active approach makes him a unique problem solver, it adds.
Well after watching the news conference via the internet i was a little bit disappointed. I felt it was fickle and not enough emphasis on the team. I understand the buisness side is important in any club and yes Carlisle United is a buisness lets not forget that, but there seemed to be no drive, no fire. I have been a supporter for 30 plus years and have seen managers come and go, takeovers and empty promises. Fred has done a marvelous job and I could'nt be more proud. I just hope this is not a case of de ja vu. 1.5 million in debt and selling top class players. This seems to ring a bell to me. The only difference is these guys have experience in that they have worked alongside Fred and hopefully something has rubbed off. True fans want to see some action and lets hope these guys are putting their money where there mouths are. God knows we as fans deserve something special and I think the club owe it to us. We have been to hell and back!!
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There is no doubting the contribution of Fred Storey or the commitment of fans. I can understand those who found the press conference uninspiring but let us all play to our strengths. Football is a business and the new directors have all demonstrated their acumen as business leaders, they don't aspire to be entertainers. Directors, do what you do best. Fans, continue to be fanatical giving CUFC the edge over other clubs who lack your commitment and passion. Players, deliver and follow through. Last season you showed what you are capable of, now be consistent. Good luck to all.
Posted by Andrew Hutchinson on 5 July 2008 kl. 00:35