Friday 27 April 2001 saw the launch of the Carlisle And Cumbria United Independent Supporters Trust (CCUIST). On the CCUIST website it is stated:
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.
Although I am not directly connected to CCUIST, I feel this could be a real opportunity for CUFC fans to make a difference and I urge all fans to visit the website and read it all. This will answer a lot of your initial questions. Then make the effort and get down to The Sands on Saturday 5 May at 11am if you can and hear them out.
I personally think that £5 for membership of the trust is a small price to pay for being part of this. In addition, donations of whatever you can afford to the share fund would be useful. I personally am planning a regular payment into this fund.
Some people have expressed concerns about money going to Knighton, and Border TV didn't help allay those fears last night. However, reading the website it does say:
That the funds are introduced into the club in such a way that there are binding legal assurances to the effect that the money can only be used for the benefit of the club and can not pass to its owners whoever they might be.
Many of us will also remember Michael Knighton's comments after the Stephen Brown fiasco that he would consider giving away the shares that Mr Brown was going to buy. Perhaps someone at CCUIST could remind Mr Knighton of that comment.
Quote from my March page:
A couple of years ago I said that we need players who are willing to go the distance for us. We seem to have few of those left. One is Richard Prokas
This was followed by the departure of Richard Prokas. So in the same vein, and hoping it will work:
A couple of years ago I said that Knighton had done a lot of good for the club. He is a decent bloke and I hope he stays.
With the doubt and confusion still surrounding Mamcarr, and the reports that Mileson may be poised to buy the club, many people still firmly believe that Mamcarr is merely a holding company for CUFC holdings and that Knighton is still in control at Brunton Park.
We have had some good recent results, particularly getting 4 points from 6 over two relegation rivals (Torquay and Halifax). I'd have snatched that if it'd been offered before those two games. However, the general feeling from the fans at the Halifax game was that we should have won that game. These things happen, though, and we just have to keep plugging away. We should certainly think of this positively. Things are looking good and CUFC are making plenty of chances each game. The team is on a high and the fans are excellent at the moment. Lets keep it up!!
The atmosphere at recent games has been superb and I am sure this is part of the reason we have seen an upturn in results. In particular, the Torquay match with all the balloons (thanks to Lee Rooney). And thanks to Mark and Martin for kicking this off at a previous match.
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts ------------------------------------------------------ 12 Macclesfield Town 39 12 13 14 48 51 -3 49 13 Plymouth Argyle 37 13 10 14 44 47 -3 49 14 Kidderminster 40 11 14 15 41 56 -15 47 15 Mansfield Town 39 11 12 16 55 65 -10 45 16 Shrewsbury Town 39 12 9 18 42 57 -15 45 17 Exeter City 40 11 11 18 36 52 -16 44 18 York City 40 11 10 19 34 55 -21 43 19 Darlington 37 10 12 15 34 42 -8 42 20 Barnet 39 11 8 20 56 68 -12 41 21 Carlisle United 39 10 11 18 39 54 -15 41 22 Lincoln City 36 9 12 15 47 52 -5 39 23 Halifax Town 38 10 8 20 47 60 -13 38 ------------------------------------------------------ 24 Torquay United 38 9 10 19 41 67 -26 37
Looking at the league table above is an interesting experience, to say the least. Any team in the bottom half are in danger of the drop, but it is too early to call. However, I will stick my neck out and say that my current favourite for the drop are Barnet. They are struggling.
Finally, let me call once more for everyone to show committed support at the remaining games.
| RIOA Index |
Editorials | Email the webmaster |