Carlisle United chairman Tom Piatak issues a statement amid unrest and concern with the club in the League Two drop zone.
This comes in response to criticism towards the team’s performance, with Piatak acknowledging the frustration coming from supporters.
Despite the poor form, he has expressed his unwavering confidence in Mike Williamson to realise the club’s long-term objectives on the field, with fans calling for him to be sacked or resign after being appointed less than two months.
He adds that Carlisle’s directors remain committed to implementing a new style of play at Brunton Park, asserting that meaningful change in this area necessitates “patience.”
— CastleSportsGroup (@CastleSportsGrp) October 29, 2024
Carlisle fans fume at Mike Williamson as miserable run continues with defeat to Cheltenham
STATEMENT:
Message from Chairman Tom Piatak
All the family know we are extremely fortunate to have such an unbelievably loyal and passionate fanbase, that is why we wanted to be here and come to CUFC. We still underestimated you. You have shown us more support than we could have dreamed of and backed the team to the ends of England, in truly remarkable numbers given what has been given back in return.
We know for too long your loyalty and patience has been tested and it is happening again now. We understand how deeply everyone feels and the concerns everyone has right now and the emotions that all brings. Especially after games like Saturday and the run we are on. We see all the emotions; anger, upset and fears. We would never criticise you for that passion, everyone must face up to it and respond to it in the right way.
Even though my family and I have been here a short time, we are experiencing and share the pain you feel just now. We know what is at stake and are not complacent about the current position -not for one second. We are committed to fixing it_ The club is in good hands, as we hope you have seen from what we have done so far.
For too long, Carlisle United has not reached its potential, there have been too few highs and too many lows. We must ask ourselves: do we want more of the same, or do we want to create something we can all be proud of?
Our vision is clear and unwavering: to build Carlisle United into a competitive, respected force within the EFL. We are committed to building a sustainable future rooted in a progressive, modern football philosophy.
Transformation does not happen overnight, and meaningful progress requires dedication and patience. This is about more than just a season or a few games; it is about evolving into a club that thrives through a distinct style of football, engages fans, develops players, and drives long-term sustainable success at a higher level.
The Ownership and Directors have carefully considered and decided to establish and build on a style of play for the club that emphasises possession-based, high-press football—an approach that prioritises controlled, attacking play, demanding intensity, and intelligence on the pitch.
This style of play improves our ability to attract players with potential to both improve the team and create value for future sale. It enables us to attract top loan players from the upper echelons of the football pyramid. It helps create meaningful opportunities for young talent coming up through our academy, establishing a pathway for our youth to play a vital role in our success.
We targeted, brought-in and believe, Mike Williamson and his team are the people to execute this vision
and strategy, driving the team forward in a way that aligns with our long-term ambitions.
We are changing and modernising our football structure. The Sporting Director role is crucial to this. We
want to ensure we bring forward the best candidate with the specific skills we need. We believe that
selecting the right individual, with a very strong recruitment background, the breadth of networks and
talent identification skills required and a high focus on data, are key for our future success. This will play a vital role in supporting the club’s vision and ambitions. Interviews for the new Sporting Director position are currently ongoing and the club will detail this more fully in a separate update.
We have already made a significant investment in our infrastructure and squad, and we are preparing to
make an additional commitment to a state-of-the-art training facility. This investment will serve as the
foundation for the future, allowing us to develop and promote strong young Cumbrians.
Yes – it might be easier to keep the same approach from the past, but that is not what we are about as in
the end it will hold us back. Sticking to the familiar path keeps us where we have always been, and that is
not what we are here for. We are here to build a brighter future, and that requires all of us—fans, players,
coaches, and staff—working together and staying the course.
Our commitment to this approach is not based on short-term gains but on a lasting vision and deep belief it is the right course for the club. We are confident in the foundations we are setting, actively working to bring the squad in line with this philosophy and honouring the heritage and values of the club while pushing forward.
If we want to reach new heights and be something truly special, we must embrace change. We need
everyone’s support to truly make a difference. Change takes time, true progress is built on patience, and
it may not be easy.
While results may take time, our commitment to this path will not waiver and we will do what is required
to move the club forward. It does not change the non-negotiable basics required from everyone at the
club such as togetherness, spirit, desire, effort, and willingness to give absolutely everything for the cause.
I urge our fans to stay behind this team, as they always have. Your support will be crucial as we move
forward for the rest of this season on this journey together.
Thank you for your unwavering support and understanding as we build the Carlisle United of the future.
Up The Blues
Here’s how fans reacted as the Carlisle chairman issues a statement amid unrest and concern with club in the League Two drop zone…
@keithelliott94: It says it’ll take time unfortunately we don’t have time , gaps 4 points if it goes much bigger we’ll need to start winning back to back games regular , our recent record over last 2 years for that is non existent.
@Matthewgaskell9: All well and good it taking time l can fully accept that but we CANNOT under any circumstance drop into the national league, that’s not taking a step backwards to go forwards that’s jumping of a cliff and then trying to climb back up
@Peeej92: Nobody will disagree with what you’re thinking and your ambitions, but stay in the football league and THEN try and implement this style. To continue on this path in our current position is crazy. Unless there’s huge changes soon, we’ll be out the league, and it’s a long way back
@Ges14: I love you to bits but this sounds like the be all end all is to play nice footy regardless of results thinking folk will still come & enjoy it. Never gonna work with that squad and at this time when we need battlers & characters to fight our way out of the current position 😕
@Gaz92Richardson: If this style of play is here to stay we’ll be a non league club next season. #Statsbomb
@carlislekev: Unfortunately, if we lose our league status, you’ll lose a lot of loyal support. The brand of football produced by MW is poor, it’s already turned supporters away. Seek the advice of an independent consultant, not the so called guidance of the Trust.
@Leef96: If we get relegated the national league is not easy to bounce back from and not one of us want that huge and drastic changes need to come sooner rather than later
@D_Stokoe: Results are more important than style of football. Focus on staying in the league then progress/develop from there. If MW doesn’t turn things around soon yous have to make a change for the sake of the clubs league survival
@mtuj1974: Thank you Tom, for everything you’re doing for the club. 💙 Hopefully the players do their bit from here on in, and start giving you the results you deserve on the pitch.
@JamieNewton77: Still the best thing to have ever happened to this football club but please do not trust any more of your money with Greg Abbott’s recommendations . The damage that man and Simpson have done to this club is the reason why we are 23rd in an awful league.
@james_cufc2000: “I urge fans to stay behind the team” – I’m sorry I backed the team all last season but it’s gone on for far too long, I’ll still attend games and back the owners but this squad and management team has lost all support and respect from me until they play with pride for this club.
@ShAnEg23: We must all stay UNITED and keep fighting for what every single fan needs and wants for Carlisle to be a force and achieve big things but as supporters we have a job to do and that is to keep calm and support the bad and the good. #COYB
@PaulMar21281685: We cannot drop out the EFL, this isn’t like dropping out the prem and having a big payment to get back up. Fans will not turn up as they are now it will be a dire situation!!
@Jordmcdowall: So this season doesn’t matter then ?
@MartynPears: Well this style of play atm has made Brunton park so quiet and soulless, away teams are finding it an easy place to come to. Sadly football is about winning. Sometimes winning ugly is needed. I just want to see a team fight and have maximum effort and win games.
@barry_maxey: Appreciate your statement, however results say everything at present we are in a ‘Tail Spin’ out of the EFL however you address it. As owners is that acceptable so to keep your plan/vision intact. If it is you will be lucky to keep any of our loyal fan base home and away!
@DeckchairBlues: We trust and have absolute faith in you @CastleSportsGrp but there are 92 teams in the football league and we’re currently 91st with a manager that we have little faith in.. Please don’t let MW go in to January if we continue on the path we’re on!
@mrheaphistory: If ‘results take time’ we will be in the National League. The message I take from this is that you’re prepared to accept a second relegation and that means you don’t understand life in the NL. Sorry.
@luke_willmott90: I have took my 3 year old to a few games this season, I was hoping she would get the bug as I did as a kid. This is not high pressing attacking football it’s boring stale possession. For a HC to lose the fans this early it’s only going one way. Survive now, change in the summer
@CUFC_Lee: God I love this club…. We’ve been through a lot lot worse.. deep breath everyone, let’s trust the process and future plans.. short term isn’t great, granted, but long term how can we not be excited!! #UTFB 🦊
@beetler43: Time is something we don’t have I’m afraid, I personally think that if we continue with this failing formation and style of play then we will go non league very soon. I know the Americans are here long term but surely the plan isn’t to go non league this season is it?
@MichaelJVevers: What is Abbotts Role? There must be some better free agents still available that we could sign until at least January??? And if the results don’t change, is Williamson still the right man for the job? Because if we DO go down, it could take years before we reach EFL level again!
@bluearmy4ever: I love our owners so much. The amount of money invested and trying to make our club bigger and better is a great goal. But short-term we have to stem the tide of bad results, play a way that will get the confidence back to the players in order to get points,in order to win games!
@tim_martland: Thank you for such a clear statement that recognises where we are and reminds us of what our future can be. Plotting that transition is difficult and we can’t see all that is going on behind the scenes on the football side. Let’s hope for a few wins and some positive vibes 💙💙
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