United owner Fred Story, who last week accused the Trust of trying to 'destabilise' the club, welcomed the development, and described it as "great news" for United. The donation will complete the purchase of the first 20% stake and pay for all of the second stake of 20% which comprises part of the Trust's share agreement, signed by ex-owner John Courtenay in March 2003. Story claimed the proposed injection of funds would lead to "conflicts and misunderstandings" over the club's fundraising revenue. But Mileson has vowed to make the money available on condition that the Trust continue to pour all their donations into the club's coffers, rather than start repaying him on the basis of an interest-free loan. Just hours earlier, Story had launched an attack on Mileson, asking him to "put up or shut up" in an apparent attempt to start negotiations over the sale of the club, which Story bought from John Courtenay last July. A press release issued by the Trust announced that the planned loan from Mileson would instead be provided as a straight donation of £600,000 to purchase the shares. The 40% shareholding will be a permanent stake owned by the Trust, which has around 600 members and has already raised over £200,000 in funds since its inception three years ago. "I would not enter into a public slanging match over the ownership of Carlisle United", said Mileson. "But whether or not I am the Carlisle United owner - or have aspirations to own it - the real issue is the fans' agreement for the ownership of the shares. The fans of Carlisle United have a legal and moral right to those shares. As a fan and a member of the Trust, I will donate the full amount of the monies required to fulfil that agreement." Story said: "That is great news for the club. It lets us move forward and invest in the club." Directors of the club announced their intention to hold a fans' forum on Wednesday night to discuss some of the issues contained in the row. Picture from News & Star |
