Well, as I write this we are all happily expectant that John Courtenay will be confirmed as owner of CUFC in the next few weeks. We have had many ups and downs in recent years, both on the pitch and off it, and hopefully we'll see some sustained improvement in the coming years, should Mr Courtenay's ownership be confirmed. However, not everything can be done by Mr Courtenay, as he himself has said:
We can break even and run the club properly with gates of 4,500, but the more money becomes available, the more money will go into the team. We need to improve facilities and we could that with gates of 6,000. If you want the best, you have to spend money. I am prepared to put money in, but are Carlisle people prepared to put money in? I'll be very interested in the size of the next home gate.
I personally feel that as a gesture of good faith, all Carlisle United fans should make an effort to attend the Hartlepool match on 2 February, and all subsequent home games. Yes, the take over has not been confirmed, but I say attend unless we hear that the take over has definitely failed. I understand that many fans have, on a matter of principle, not been attending. Let us not disillusion our potential new owner before he takes over - go to Brunton Park and cheer on the mighty Blues.
So, to conclude, let us cast our eyes over Mr Courtenay's press release on 23 January 2002, which (touch wood) was the start of a new era:
My Accountants have now completed their financial due diligence save for some very minor points and I am delighted to be able to say that this has been entirely satisfactory.
I am also pleased to announce that Michael Knighton and myself have agreed a deal for the sale of the club in principle, subject to heads of terms.
I would like to put on record that I received total co-operation from Mr. Knighton and all the staff at Carlisle United. I have also been very impressed by the way negotiations have been conducted and by the professionalism at the Club.
No further announcements will be made until the deal is concluded.
John Courtenay
23 January 2002
Oh yes, and we've been playing very well lately and winning games :-)
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