John Courtenay has reached an agreement with Michael Knighton to buy the club and issued a statement on United's official website today to announce the start of a new era and to thank officials of the club and Knighton himself for his co-operation. The change in ownership will signal the end of the Knighton family's involvement - Mark Knighton is to step down as a director but Andrea Whittaker will be asked to stay on. After almost three years of negotiations with a stack of potential buyers, ranging from local millionaire Brooks Mileson to Roddy Collins's brother Steve, Mr Knighton has reached a decision that will delight the Cumbrians' remaining followers. Now Courtenay hopes to begin a four-year programme that will propel Carlisle up to the First Division. "Everything has been agreed," said a beaming Courtenay this morning. "It will take three or four weeks for the legal work to be done, the same as buying a house. I have taken over lock, stock and barrel and I'm absolutely delighted. I cannot put a figure on the deal as it is part of the agreement that financial aspects will not be disclosed. "The Knighton family will be finished with the club. I'm not kicking them out - they are perfectly happy to go." Courtenay was cheered to his seat last night as United collected their third win in four games with a 3-0 defeat of Rushden and Diamonds at Brunton Park. The result lifted the Cumbrians up to 19th place in the table, six points above the bottom. COURTNEY'S ANNOUNCEMENT IN FULL: My Accountants have now completed their financial due diligence save for some very minor points and I am delighted to be able to say that this has been entirely satisfactory. I am also pleased to announce that Michael Knighton and Myself have agreed a deal for the sale of the club in principle, subject to heads of terms. I would like to put on record that I received total co-operation from Mr. Knighton and all the staff at Carlisle United. I have also been very impressed by the way negotiations have been conducted and by the professionalism at the Club. No further announcements will be made until the deal is concluded. John Courtenay Maddy, Morley and Galloway are on their way OUT Roddy Collins expects to start the John Courtenay era today by selling Lee Maddison, Dave Morley and Mick Galloway. Lee Maddison is expected to rejoin old boss Ian Atkins at Oxford United, while Morley has signed for Southend United, the club he joined Carlisle from in January last year. Meanwhile, Galloway has reached agreement with Scottish First Divison side Airdrie and could sign for them within 24 hours. These moves will allow Collins to bring in his long-time target Gareth O'Connor from Bournemouth. He had been hoping to sign O'Connor two weeks ago but was foiled by a Football League transfer embargo. That embargo should now be lifted. O'Connor was with Bohemians when Collins was manager of the Dublin club. |
