The club announced last month that reporters and photographers from Cumbrian Newspapers were "no longer welcome" at Brunton Park but when photographer Ian Cooper arrived to take pictures of the opening training session on Thursday, he was eventually allowed in after intervention from administrator David Walker. Mr Walker and colleague David Elliott, from the accountancy firm BKR Haines Watts are running the club while it tries to find a way to pay off its estimated £1m debts. In addition the club's parent company CUFC Holdings has a £1m debt which is secured on Brunton Park itself. Press officer Phil Holmes told Mr Cooper that he was not allowed to take photographs on the orders of the Knighton family. But they were overruled by Mr Walker who indicated that it would be Ok for pictures to be taken. Just sixteen players reported back for training with caretaker boss Billy Barr and temporary coach David Wilkes, who was joint coach of the Cumbrians between 1997 and 99 under the managerial reign of Michael Knighton. United re-signed youngster Kyle May after the PFA temporarily lifted a transfer embargo. Speculation has linked club captain Stuart Whitehead with Darlington and want-away defender Lee Maddison to Oxford. Both players could leave of their own free will as United have not paid for them for over six weeks, after which contracts are declared null and void. It is understood the PFA have agreed to a further loan and were at the ground this week to pay the missing wages. Some 13 of the 16 professionals on the books at United are thought to be available now for a free transfer under this rule. The administrators announced a new manager would be in place this week but so far there has been no appointment. The names in the frame include Andy Kilner, Peter Weir and Brian Little. CCUIST hold AGM amid United turmoil Members of the Carlisle & Cumbria United Independent Supporters' Trust (CCUIST) meet tomorrow for their first AGM amid turmoil at Brunton Park. The trust are committed to buying a stake in United and have already got pledges for around £150,000 in their share fund. The trust are expected to announce this week that they have passed the 1,000 member mark after launching 15 months ago. They received another cash boost yesterday when the North Eastern branch of the Co-op donated a further £1,000 to their fund. Cumbria County Council have also pledged an additional £5,000. The AGM, which takes place at the Lakes Court Hotel in Carlisle and starts at 2pm will be an opportunity for fans to get together to plan their next course of action. Supporters have indicated that they are 90% in favour of an all-out boycott of Brunton Park next season if Michael Knighton isn't removed as owner. Representatives of CCUIST, minority shareholders and other supporters met the administrators David Elliott and David Walker a fortnight ago at Brunton Park. They indicated most strongly their opposition to any rescue plan that allows the Knighton family to remain in control. At this stage Mr Elliott and Mr Walker have not said they have any plans to sell the club. They claim to be able to raise money by selling surplus land assets owned by CUFC Holdings and by the use of a loan from a 'mystery' source, thought by some to be the maverick Darlington chairman George Reynolds. The majority creditors are thought to be the Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise, who are owed something in the region of £700,000. Other creditors include the PFA and the Irish League side Shelbourne FC. Football-related debts normally have to be settled as a priority for the authorities to allow United to start the new season. United have still not given a cast-iron assurance that they can kick-off the new campaign which is due to start on August 10 with a home game against Hartlepool United. Picture from News & Star |
