Only relegated Halifax Town - with 22 of their 23 professionals released from their contracts - have axed more of their playing staff. Other clubs, including those in administration such as Lincoln City and Bury have not been anything like as drastic in their squad pruning as the Cumbrians. Only Bristol Rovers, with 12 players cut, come close to matching Carlisle amongst next season's Third Division clubs. United had a total of 36 players on their books at one point this season, leading to an inevitable cost-cutting exercise by the Brunton Park board of Mark Knighton and Andrea Whittaker. The club came under fire last year after it was revealed that they had the largest transfer surplus of any club in Division Three over the previous four seasons. They are expected to announce a modest profit when their accounts for the 2000-01 season are released, probably this week. In stark contrast to the Cumbrians, Second Division Peterborough United and this season's Third Division champions Plymouth Argyle didn't release any players. However, with the collapse of ITV Digital hitting league club's finances badly, a total of 619 players are expected to be looking for work this summer, including those released by Scottish clubs, according to a survey conducted by The Guardian. Albion Rovers (20), Motherwell (19) and Clydebank (18) are the only British clubs to release more players than United, although Airdrie, who went out of business last week, have had to dispense with all 22 of their remaining professionals. Former Carlisle stars Allan Smart (Oldham Athletic) and Dean Walling (Cambridge United) are amongst the hundreds of pros given the boot. United face a battle to sign any new players as they are still operating under a transfer embargo imposed by the Football League after the club failed to fully repay a £100,000 loan from the PFA. Some of this money is still outstanding and it is not known whether Carlisle will be allowed to bring in replenishments to bolster their skeleton staff of just 15 players. There has been no indication yet of whether any non-football staff will be sacked to save on costs. The club have gradually cut back on staff numbers in recent seasons and most of their employees are now temporary, working only on matchdays. Picture from News & Star |
