Supporter relations at Carlisle United were in crisis as the club scrapped its fan rep position - and the Blues' official supporters' club also came under fire.

United announced they were dropping the fan representative role on their board after just one season.

The Blues claimed the fact only three people applied meant there was no longer the "appetite and support" for the position from the fanbase.

But some supporters spoke of their disappointment at the decision, and claimed it was a result of the Carlisle hierarchy's perceived lack of engagement with fans.

Others questioned whether the remaining fan on the board - elected by CUOSC - offered enough representation for the United faithful.

The first person to hold the non-executive fan rep position, Claire Winder, resigned recently after claiming she was accused of breaching confidentiality by United owners.

On the scrapping of the role, Winder said: "I found there was an appetite and support from fans to engage with the club. 

"This, from fans, is an acknowledgement that the current ownership and lack of engagement from them has to change.

"I am disappointed how it all ended and I hope it will be a role looked at again in the future as, from my experience, CUOSC in their current form cannot and do not represent their own members never mind the wider fanbase."

United said the lack of applicants left the club "unable to give the process of selection the validity it requires."

While 12 fans applied for the role last summer, only three put themselves forward this time.

In a statement United finance director Suzanne Kidd said: “As a board, we feel it has been very useful and valuable to have a fan representative both in the boardroom and active around the club.

“Claire was the first person to take the position and she made huge strides in establishing the role in what we felt was a very positive way.

"We’d hoped to be able to carry that on, but the low number of applicants means that won’t be possible in the coming season."

United insisted they were "determined to keep as many lines of communication open" as possible at Brunton Park.

But one of the three supporters who applied, Richard Mullen, said he had been told by owners Andrew Jenkins and John Nixon only last week that they were keen for the fan rep position to remain.

Mullen, who described himself as "anti" the club's board, said: "Whether there's three [applicants] or 3,000, it doesn't matter - surely it's up to the supporters to make the choice.

"It's a kick in the teeth to supporters who have been more or less told they aren't capable of making a valid selection."

CUOSC, whose chairman Norman Steel is on the United board, expressed their regret at the scrapping of the fan rep position.

The fans' group said: "We find this news disappointing bearing in mind the position was only created last summer".

In response to Winder's criticism, CUOSC added: "It's disappointing to hear these comments when all parties are trying so hard to achieve something special to take the club forward.

"It is a time when all the supporter groups and those working within should be working harder and even closer together towards the same goals in the interests of the club and the supporters.

"It is a shame that not everyone can or wants to see that."

CUOSC's 25.4 per cent stake in United's holding company could be at risk under the Blues owners' plan to issue £1m new shares.