Carlisle builder Story, whose firm Story Construction is one of the fastest growing companies in the UK over the last decade, also ruled out pouring money into the club. He said the time was right for everyone to pull together and do their bit to help. He pledged to make United successful as a business and said he hoped the spotlight would fall on manager Paul Simpson and the players rather than the back room staff. "I don't know anything more about football than the average fan," said Story, 47. "I played rugby for Aspatria and had a season ticket at Carlisle United from the age of 10. I just want to finish these interviews and get back to running my businesses. Paul Simpson will look after the football side of things." Outgoing owner John Courtenay revealed the deal to sell the club could take a few weeks to finalise because of due diligence issues but foresaw no problems. "When I came to take over I was buying into the dark", he admitted. "Fred is not in the same position. His people have seen most of the books. Fred knows what is going on. I have always kept very open books." Story was invited on to the United Board last year and has already played his part with his firm building the new turnstiles and toilet facilities at the Petteril End of the ground. However he has ruled out any moves to sell Brunton Park for housing development and a move to a new out-of-town stadium. There had been speculation that he would be keen to cash in on the land value at Brunton Park and take the club up to a site near Kingmoor Park in the north of the city. Meanwhile, Simpson has indicated he is keen to sign a contract extension and also wants to shed two more players in a bid to clear more space for new arrivals. The 37-year-old player boss has suffered a personal blow with the news that he is likely to miss the start of the season with a knee injury. He has been chasing a striker since the end of last season and will be running a keen eye on trialist forward Karl Hawley in next week's Isle of Man football festival. If the 22-year-old ex-Walsall man can build on the two goals he scored at Kendal last week, he could earn a permanent move. Picture from News & Star |
