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New owners reveal their plans for Carlisle United after sealing massive takeover for the club

New owners Castle Sports Group reveal their plans for Carlisle United after sealing massive takeover for the League One club.

Castle Sports Group, the group run by the Piatak family, have taken control of the Cumbrians following ratification by the English Football League.

Carlisle manager Paul Simpson said earlier this week: “I do think though that there are some real exciting times ahead.

“Hopefully this week there is going to be some really big news about the takeover and if everything goes to plan then the club will be in a really strong position to be even stronger come the end of the season.”

CLUB STATEMENT:

Carlisle United Football Club can now confirm that following EFL approval, the ownership and control of the club has changed.

The new owners of the club are Castle Sports Group, owned by the Piatak family from Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

We offer them a huge Cumbrian welcome to Carlisle United.

Everyone associated with the club is delighted and looking forward to a long and successful future together.

STATEMENT FROM NEW OWNERS:

Castle Sports Group is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the takeover of Carlisle United Football Club, marking a significant milestone in our journey.

After a thorough and meticulous process, we are excited to usher in a new era for the club and its dedicated fanbase. This acquisition represents a commitment to the rich history and tradition of Carlisle United, and we are eager to build upon the club’s legacy. Our family has worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition, and we are grateful for the cooperation of all parties involved in making this deal a reality.

As we take the helm of Carlisle United, we are filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the future. We believe in the potential of the club and its players, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the pitch. Our vision is to elevate Carlisle United to new heights and create a lasting legacy that resonates with the community and supporters.

“We are delighted to have completed the takeover of Carlisle United Football Club,” said Tom Piatak. “This marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the club, and we are committed to investing in its success and building a bright future together. We extend our sincere gratitude to the fans, staff, and everyone involved in making this transition a reality.”

As we embark on this journey, we look forward to continuing engaging with the Carlisle United community and working collaboratively to achieve our shared goals. Together, we aim to create a football club that not only competes at the highest level but also serves as a source of pride for the local community.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, we invite all supporters to join us on Saturday, November 25, at the Charlton match at Brunton Park. Let us make this a memorable event and sell-out the stadium!

Tom and Patty Piatak added: “We’re so pleased that the deal has now been completed. We’re excited about the opportunities for Carlisle United and the community around it.

“We saw the potential as soon as we started this process, and we all want to help the club achieve that potential.

“We are flying over to the UK at the end of the week and we can’t wait for Saturday’s match against Charlton.”

Tom and Alice Piatak said: “We’re very excited, it’s been a long process but we’ve had a great time over the past year travelling over to Carlisle.

“We’ve been able to get to know the city and the area, and we’ve really fallen in love with the countryside.

“We’re very happy we’ve been able to get this over the finish line and we can’t wait to be over there on Saturday to meet the fans and get started.”

Jenna Piatak and Nick DeMasi said: “We’re super excited for the future now that this part of the process is completed.

“We’re looking forward to being able to finally come in and help shape the future of the club. We’ve really enjoyed meeting all the fans so far. 

“The whole city of Carlisle has welcomed us with open arms and we’re excited to properly start our journey together, starting with Saturday’s huge game against Charlton at Brunton Park.”

 

STATEMENT FROM THE OUTGOING SHAREHOLDERS

One chapter in the history of the club has now come to a close and the next will soon start.

The ownership and control of Carlisle United has changed for the first time since 2008.

In 2008, Fred Story passed control to current Chairman and largest shareholder Andrew Jenkins along with John Nixon and Steven Pattison (and David Allen before he left in 2009), who have sat alongside CUOSC as owners ever since. Following a debt restructuring, long serving director, Lord Clark of Windermere (David) then became a non-voting shareholder.

After 15 years in charge, it is now time for them all to hand over to the Piatak family from Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Andrew, John, Steven and David all wish to express their thanks to everyone for their support and wish everyone all the best for the future.

They said: “As we sign over our shares to new owners, we want to say a big thank you to all the fans, supporters and businesses who have backed and rallied behind the club and the board during the last 15 years.

“Like all football clubs it’s been a ride of many ups and downs both on-the-field and in the administration of the club. The support we been given in that time has been much appreciated.

“The early days were fraught with a legacy of little or no cash. Two trips to Wembley for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final were hugely memorable, but they came along with a relegation from League One to League Two.

“After the flooding of 2005, the reoccurrence in 2015 was a particularly challenging time but from that adversity came some new beginnings. Attempts at takeovers followed (they always fell at the final hurdle due to lack of visible funds).

“More highs and lows on the field led to a play-off run in 2017. Last season saw a return to Wembley, a play-off final win and promotion back to League One.

“And now we hand over to new owners, the Piatak family from Jacksonville, Florida.

“We are very pleased they will take up the reins of the club as they’ve shown ambition, drive and focus to take Carlisle United to the next level. Not only that, they’ve been involved with the new EFL acquisition process since May which is a stringent set of requirements to ensure future ownership of clubs in the EFL are more protected from financial risk.

“We wish the Piatak family well and wish them good luck for the future. It’s been a pleasure working with them in the last 6 months and we are all confident the club is going into good hands.

“Finally, again, thank you all for the support over the last 15 years – we really have appreciated it.”

Andrew, Steven, John and David.

—————-

Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens paid tribute to the departing owners: “They have all worked tirelessly for Carlisle United and remain very passionate and life-long United fans. Much of what they have done has been behind the scenes, without seeking plaudits. They have preferred to stay in the background and just get on with the job.

“Being responsible for a club is never easy. It needs passion, determination, commitment and real resilience to keep going. They have demonstrated all of those qualities over a long period. In tough times, which inevitably come along from time to time, they have done whatever they could to keep the club pushing forward and help and support the club and all its staff.

“Andrew is unique in having his entire life so closely connected with the club and words can’t do justice to what he has given over a lifetime.

“Steven has always worked behind scenes in his own way, seeking nothing in return and always putting the club interest before his own.

“In my seven years here, John has been nothing but supportive to the staff and myself and is 100% Carlisle United through and through.

“David has always provided astute advice and brought an independent perspective to the club.

“They have always been upfront about the challenges of ownership, especially financially, and achieving progress. This has been upmost in their minds as they look to secure the future of the club.

“Part of the responsibility of ownership is making sure a club is left in safe hands. As the club is about to move into a new chapter, they have done all they can to ensure that too.

“From all at the club we wish them well! Thank you.”

Fans gave their reaction as the new owners reveal their plans for Carlisle United after sealing a massive takeover for the club…

@carlislekev: Congratulations to the Piatak family on their new venture, now owners of the pride of the north, Carlisle United. We’re all with yer on this journey to a new level. Let’s not forget the work of Mr Jenkins, Nixon, Pattinson & Co, ensuring we still had a club in the city, thank you

@CUFC_Lee: Massive Thank You to Andrew Jenkins 🦊…. An unbelievable new chapter begins for the Blues #coyb!!! @officialcufc

@maccy1978: I’ll be having a cheeky little beer with me tea tonight!

@Jackdix89534041: Get on there!!!! Hopefully some big signings in Jan and summer CUFC 💙💙

@Lorna__Jayne: Feel a little emotional… Pop the champagne blues, we so deserve this!! 💙🇺🇸🍾 #cufc

@lewisrids3: Surreal. It seems to have taken forever to get sorted and in many ways that’s a good thing. There will be challenges and there may be teething problems, but tonight and this Saturday is about celebrating the dawn of an exciting new era for our club. Up the Blues! 💙🇺🇸 #cufc

@riegaan: The best day of my life. I am in tears. TO THE PREM.

@cufcdeano: Happy Days!! Up the American Blues!! Welcome @CastleSportsGrp #cufc

@mattselliott: Get in!!! Welcome @CastleSportsGrp here’s to a great future 🇺🇸

@harveywil099: never thought i’d see the day, buzzin.

@katieadams_2: Pre season in Miami????? THE BLUES ARE STAYING UP

@ste_brown19: What a year for the club! Promotion at Wembley and now the takeover! UTB💙

@RyCUFC: A new era begins! 😍🇺🇸 #cufc

@HYFPRW: Finally. The takeover complete and the remainder of the season will be massive. I don’t expect big investment, but sensible investment will be coming from the Piataks and League One safety is that bit closer in the minds of fans. or some time, we’ve been one of the (if not, the) best run club in the EFL in terms of managing to over perform what’s often been one of (if not, the) lowest budgets in the EFL. Keeping that up and allying it with the funding to secure mid-table League One would be massive.

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