The size of the crowd will have come as a boost to John Courtenay, who believes he is within 11 days of securing the club from current owner Michael Knighton. It was up nearly 2,500 on the previous gate against Rushden & Diamonds. However boss Roddy Collins was bitterly disappointed with the result, which still leaves Carlisle in an awkward position near the foot of the table. "It was a brilliant turnout," he said. "But I am not about marketing the club - I would have been happy if we had got the result rather than the crowd." Collins expects to start signing players again as soon as the deal is finalised. He has already tied up the Bohemians pair of Trevor Molloy and Brian Shelley on Bosmans for next season and is confident he can persuade striker Glen Crowe to join them at Brunton Park. He is currently operating under a transfer embargo imposed by the Football League after United borrowed an unspecified sum from the PFA last October to help pay wages. Until that loan is repaid, Carlisle will not be allowed to sign any new players. Collins believes he will be able to sign a clutch of players once Courtenay takes over and clears the loan. Even with the new signings in the side, Collins does not believe United will get anywhere near the play-offs this season. "It is important we keep one above the bottom team. People have been getting carried away and talking about the play-offs - forget about that. I was brought here to keep us in the league this season and that's the important thing." 'Pool clash rearranged Last Saturday's waterlogged Hartlepool game has been re-arranged for Tuesday March 19 with a 7.45pm kick-off. |
