.....but is it the end of the Knighton Era at Brunton Park or, more worryingly, the end of Carlisle United itself? The latest Knighton family move was to threaten to withdraw from the Football League and close down Carlisle United because "the people of Carlisle do not deserve a football club". This was quickly retracted by the club after the Football League made it very clear that it was too late and they had to compete in the 2002/03 season. Then there was a statement that the club would compete with a limited squad and that notice of withdrawal would be given at the correct times.
For me, enough is enough. I took part in the Saturday march around Brunton Park during the penultimate home game of 2001/02, but could not bring myself to miss the final game of the season and say thanks (and probably goodbye) to the players. I have been an "East Stand 7 year deal" season ticket holder, but that has now run out. There are rumours that the club plans to extend the deal, but it makes no difference to me. I had already decided not to renew my ticket for many reasons, but the latest events have now made me consider something I never thought I would do, and that is boycott home games. Like many others I am now considering going to away games rather than home games. This is not a comfortable decision and I have frequently criticised boycotters in the past, but something must be done to drive The Pestilence from Brunton Park.
It has been reported recently that at present CUFC and CUFC Holdings owe £700,000 to the Inland Revenue, £900,000 to a loan company and has 8 County Court Judgements against them. In addition, the players wages have been late or non-existent and the PFA has loaned money for players' salaries. Michael and Rosemary Knighton are currently banned from being company directors by the DTI. In addition, questions have been asked in Parliament over the current business practices. For the first time in a few years we went into the last month with League safety guaranteed. OK, we only secured Division Three status on 29 March, but it still counted. And then The Pestilence struck. In a bizarre twist, the club sacked Roddy Collins after he spoke out about his frustrations over the delays John Courtenay's planned purchase of Carlisle United.
CCUIST planned a Knighton Out Day on Saturday 27th April. Fans were urged to display Knighton Out! banners in as many places (home, work, cars, etc) as possible. The rallying call produced results and Knighton Out! posters appeared everyone, not just in Carlisle but all over the UK and worldwide, too. Like all these others, I did my bit.
All of these events lead me to believe that, one way or another, the Knighton saga is drawing to a close. Either he will sell up and leave, or the club will go into administration. If it is the latter, then hopefully a buyer will be found, perhaps it could be even CCUIST. Alternatively, no buyer may come forward and the club may cease to exist. No fan wants this, but it may be a price that is paid. If the worst happens, who will have been to blame? Certainly decisions made by the Knighton family and CUFC directors are the main causes, but Carlisle City Council (blocked planning applications), Cumbrian Newspapers (campaigns which bordered on vendettas) and statements made by some fans played their part too.
I don't have all the answers, or even all the right questions. As we head into the summer, many thoughts are turning to the World Cup, but let us not forget Carlisle United and keep plugging away at Michael Knighton. He will crack eventually and sell the club.
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