Last updated 09:55, Friday, 04 July 2008

So what did happen during Fred Story's time in the hot seat at Carlisle United?

Happy days: Fred Story and John Courtenay share a joke at Brunton Park, as new chief executive David Allen looks on

JULY 15, 2004 – Story buys United from Irish owner John Courtenay, both pictured above, who says he could no longer devote the time to running the club after its relegation to the Conference.

JULY 17 2004 – The new owner immediately dispels rumours he planned to turn Brunton Park into a housing site. “I won’t make one penny profit and I’m not here to pour money into Carlisle United either. I’m here to make this club stand on its own two feet,” he says.

JULY 23 2004 – Story reveals the scale of the club’s debts, with a deadline looming on £300,000 owing to the Inland Revenue and a long-term loan of more than £1 million to the Bristol and West finance house, which was set up by former owner Michael Knighton. The Cumbrian businessman later makes a loan to the club from his Story Construction company to allow United to clear these three debts.

NOVEMBER 5, 2004 – United report a loss of £1.15 million for the previous season, taking the total loss for the last two years to £2.3 million. Story blamed the losses on over-generous contracts handed out by previous manager Roddy Collins.

NOVEMBER 30, 2004 – Story withdraw the arrangement for the fans’ trust to acquire a 25.1 per cent share in the club after a massive rift develops with fans’ leader Kate Rowley, who reveals the trust are now pursuing a 49% share after a six-figure loan from Gretna supremo Brooks Mileson.

JANUARY 10, 2005 – Brunton Park is submerged by eight feet of water during the devastating winter floods, forcing United to play home games at Workington and Morecambe. Story’s construction firm begins the massive clean-up operation and have Brunton Park playable again within a month.

MAY 14, 2005 – United win promotion back to the Football League after beating Stevenage 1-0 in the Conference play-off final.

JUNE 21, 2005 – As the shares row becomes more acrimonious between Story and Mileson, the trust’s benefactor threatens to sue Story for libel. The trust then announces its intentions to take Story to the High Court to prove his ownership of United is not legal.

OCTOBER 14, 2005 – As United make a promising start to the League Two season under Paul Simpson, the club reports a trading loss of just £81,212 during last season.

OCTOBER 28, 2005 – United launch a bid to kick supporters’ trust chairman Kate Rowley off its board of directors over her support for the trust’s legal action against Story. At the High Court hearing the following month, the trust accuse Story of “acting fraudulently” in acquiring United. Story denies the allegations.

DECEMBER 30, 2005 – Carlisle appoint Pirelli boss John Nixon as new chief executive. United, buoyed by new signing Michael Bridges, are mounting a serious promotion push in League Two.

MARCH 8, 2006 – United, now top of League Two, reach the Football League Trophy final and a guaranteed payday at the Millennium Stadium. United lose 2-1 to Swansea but make £250,000.

APRIL 20, 2006 – Rowley resigns from the fans’ trust, paving the way for an end to its long-running dispute with Story.

APRIL 22, 2006 – United draw 1-1 at Mansfield – the result that clinches a second successive promotion to League One. The title is later sealed with a 2-0 win at Rochdale. Story then announces plans to rip up the below-par Brunton Park pitch and replace it with a £250,000 Premiership-standard surface.

MAY 26, 2006 – The costly dispute between Story and the supporters’ trust dramatically ends after the fans body admits it was wrong to accuse the millionaire of fraud and apologised.

JUNE 16, 2006 – Paul Simpson controversially quits as manager and joins Preston North End. “We hoped he would stay but we have to respect his decision,” says Story, who later rejects Simpson’s claim that he had not been offered improved terms to remain at Brunton Park.

JUNE 29, 2006 – After failed approaches for John Ward and John Carver, Story surprisingly unveils former Bolton and Crystal Palace coach Neil McDonald as Simpson’s successor. Days later, McDonald makes Liverpool defender David Raven his first signing.

AUGUST 1, 2006 – United prepare for the new season after £600,000 worth of redevelopment at Brunton Park with improvements to the pitch, floodlights and facilities.

AUGUST 31, 2006 – After a bright start to life in League One under the new manager, star striker Michael Bridges is sold to Hull City for a deal worth £350,000.

NOVEMBER 11, 2006 – United record a profit of nearly £250,000, the first time they have turned a profit since 2001. “The message is Carlisle United is being run properly,” says Story.

JANUARY 26, 2007 – Carlisle pay £60,000 for Port Vale winger Jeff Smith and also add Danny Graham and Paul Thirlwell among their new year signings.

MARCH 9, 2007 – Story publicly declares his faith in boss McDonald whose side are mounting a late play-off push.

APRIL 28, 2007 – United’s bid for a record third straight promotion ends with defeat to Swansea on the penultimate weekend of the season, but their final position of eighth is the club’s highest for over 20 years.

MAY 23, 2007 – McDonald is linked with a move to Newcastle to join new manager Sam Allardyce. The Carlisle boss refuses to comment.

AUGUST 10, 2007 – One the eve of the new season, United smash their transfer record to sign striker Joe Garner from Blackburn for £140,000.

AUGUST 13, 2007 – After a 1-1 draw at Walsall on the opening day of the season, McDonald is sensationally sacked with Story citing a “loss of confidence” in the Geordie.

OCTOBER 2, 2007 – Greg Abbott steers the Blues to fourth in League One but is overlooked for the top job as Story secures the experienced Cheltenham boss John Ward as McDonald’s successor.

DECEMBER 7, 2007 – Chartered accountant David Allen joins the United board as finance director.

JANUARY 18, 2008 – United make four signings in the January transfer window – Evan Horwood, Grant Smith, former Blues hero Scott Dobie and Cleveland Taylor, the latter for £60,000.

MAY 3, 2008 – United, having looked promotion certs for several weeks, finish fourth in League One after a poor run-in.

MAY 15, 2008 – After a stunning 2-1 play-off semi-final first leg victory at Leeds, United are dramatically dumped out of the promotion race when the Yorkshire side win 2-0 at Brunton Park in the return clash.

JUNE 17, 2008 – As takeover rumours start gathering pace in Carlisle, ex-owner Courtenay goes public on his bid to buy the Blues back from Story, as the Blues rubbish clams a Manchester-based consortium are set to take control of the club.

JUNE 18, 2008 – Star goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is sold to Coventry City in a deal worth £750,000.

JUNE 26, 2008 – Ben Williams joins on a Bosman transfer from Crewe as Westwood’s replacement, joining defender Josh Gowling as Ward’s first summer recruits.

JULY 1, 2008 – Nottingham Forest launch a shock bid to buy Joe Garner but Carlisle deny a deal has been done.

JULY 2, 2008 – Story publicly reassures fans that money from the sale of Westwood – and any deal for Garner – would stay with the club as he prepares to end his four-year tenure.

JULY 3, 2008 – Story’s successful reign is over as he sells to four existing United directors, headed by David Allen.