The supporters who backed him last season gave him a large ovation when he came out to receive a United shirt before the kick-off on Saturday at Brunton Park. "It was very special," he said. "Too many times managers and players go back to their old clubs and the first thing the crowd does is slaughter them. It was terrific and speaks volumes for the people here. The reception was a measure of the people of Cumbria." And Atkins is hopeful the fans will have something to cheer about soon with a takeover still on the cards. "I met genuine people here and I am genuine in my thoughts for the club. This should be a first division club. I just hope the ownership issue can be resolved and the club can go forward. This is a place that will always be treasured in my heart," he said. We're safe, says Roddy Roddy Collins has finally admitted that United are safe from relegation after Saturday's 2-1 victory over Oxford United left them needing only one point from their remaining seven fixtures to be mathematically certain of retaining their place in the league. The injury time Richie Foran strike meant Collins can now afford to relax a bit after a trying time for him and his players in recent weeks. The outspoken manager resigned for 24 hours earlier this month but changed his mind after a meeting with owner Michael Knighton. The takeover has still not been completed after 10 weeks of negotiations and the indications are now that it will not be until perhaps the end of the season. With all talks confidential, it is not known the extent of the remaining problems. However Collins put those continuing frustrations behind him as he talked of his achievement in keeping Carlisle up in his first season as the Cumbrians' boss. "When I came in July, I was asked to keep the club in the Football League and I will be bold enough to say now that the club will be in the Football League. I'm a very, very happy man, I'm very contented that I have not let anyone down and have done what people required of me," he said. United visit bottom side Halifax on Friday night. The Shaymen crashed 5-0 at Luton on Saturday and will almost certainly have to win all their remaining five games to stand a chance of staying in the league. Picture from News & Star www.newsandstar.co.uk |
