In the poll here on CUFC Online, conducted between April 22-30, 504 supporters clicked their mouse to register a vote. Some 457 of them voted to boycott home games in the event of Knighton still being in charge with just 31 saying they would still go regardless and 16 undecided. If these figures scaled up to the total United fan base, home gates would shrink to barely 500, with half of these likely to be away fans. The vote is sure to pile more pressure on the Knighton family, who threatened to withdraw United from the Football League last week and wind up the club altogether, triggering a massive backlash from the local community. Since then, they have been forced to backtrack, but are now struggling to pay their out-of-contract players, who are understood yesterday to have rejected a drastically reduced pay package, representing less than 50% of the money they are owed until the end of their deals on June 30. In-contract players such as striker Richie Foran, defender Lee Andrews and midfielder Will McDonagh are believed to have been paid their full wages. The club could lose them altogether if they are not paid for six successive weeks. Meanwhile, with the £100,000 PFA loan still not fully repaid, the club are still operating under a transfer embargo. It is thought that once out of contract players are removed from the wage bill, the club should be allowed to bring replacements in, but any transfers are sure to be closely monitored by both the PFA and the Football League. The PFA said this week that they wouldn't be demanding back the money they are owed immediately, but yesterday's news that their members may not get their full wage entitlement is likely to bring them into conflict again with Carlisle's owners. Last year the PFA intervened after director Andrea Whittaker attempted to sack four high-earning players. All four were eventually reinstated. The plans had been made by the club some months earlier but had been kept secret from then manager Ian Atkins. Scott makes international breakthrough Workington-born former Carlisle star Scott Dobie scored on his Scotland debut last night in a special practice match against Dundee United. Now the 23-year-old striker hopes national boss Berti Vogts will give him his first full cap on the forthcoming three-match tour of the Far East. The match, played at Stirling, ended in a 2-0 win for the national side and Dobie claimed the second goal. Vogts gave guarded praise to Dobie after the match. "He is not a bad player. He has good speed and movement. He played 45 minutes and in the morning we had special training for the forwards. Between four and six of those players will go to the Far East, but I need some more time before I name the squad," he said. Picture from News & Star |
