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" I think it would be fair to say that we have finally got our man. We had two promotions in a row didn't we, and hey, what is going to happen to Carlisle United. Our past was up, down, up, down, I think people have looked at Carlisle, seen stability and seen some serious attempts at success. We've signed some players this year, signing Joe (Garner), I think that people are slowly becoming convinced that we are an ambitious football club again.
" There are so many aspects, for me John ticks all the boxes. It's the fact that he has kept Cheltenham where he has, he's been there for your years, he's very highly thought of there. He's got a good track record at other clubs, he handles himself extremely professionally. He's got a reputation that is second to none in the industry when you ask for references and people's suggestions about who would be a good manager. John Ward's name is there all the time, and it's always at or near the top all the time.
" He (Greg Abbott) has covered himself with a lot of credit, and the way that he had taken this disappointing news, because obviously it is disappointing for him. As well as handling it like a man he has done a good job while he has been the manager as well. It's hard to say to him that you are not getting the job, we are wanting a more experienced guy, that's the decision we have made. Time will prove whether or not we are right, I think that we have made the right decision. Everything about John Ward I just think is ideal for where Carlisle United are now and where Carlisle United want to go.
" The club does belong to the supporters, there is absolutely no question at all about that, I've never thought anything else as long as I've owned it. If I'm the fella, and the board and we're saying we're taking responsibility of the club then we've got to make long-term decisions for the good of the club. "
" We all know what a fickle sport football is, we're fans as well and we feel elated when we win and down when we lose but as owners and directors of the club you don't make decisions on being elated and being down. You make decisions that sometimes are maybe controversial, that you've got to think through very clearly and use your experience in life and in your work to make the decisions that are ultimately proved to be right.
" I think that if you look back over the last three years there have been a few decisions that have been initially controversial but they are all forgotten about. Because they have been proved, I'm not sounding too clever but we've done pretty well and I think that we've done well by sticking to our guns. Being true to the cause and all those catchphrases but we just make decisions and we hope that they are right, and we hope that this one is right.
" The figures of three managers in eight weeks does make it more difficult to make the appointment but that is not the reason not to do the right thing. Just because there are headlines, I had a bit of stick in Neil McDonald going. I actually quite enjoy it when there is a bit of a fight there and people are questioning what we are doing when I strongly believe that what I and the board are doing is right. So just because headline figures and superficial information say that you shouldn't do something, it's not a reason not to do it.
" It doesn't make me more determined in a pig-headed way, determined yes to make sure that you do the right thing and if there is criticism then you have got to listen to people. It's not about being pig-headed and ignorant about it, but if that criticism, you've got to take all peoples' views and make the right decision as a result of that. If that criticism is unfounded then I just take no notice whatsoever.
" I would say that primarily I am a football man who just couldn't play football. I'm 6'8, I was no good as a rugby player, it's just that I was 6'8. I was a supporter of Carlisle and I was a season ticket holder when I was a lad, it meant a lot to me and obviously it means everything to me now. It represents the town, it represents the county and I don't think that I need to give any more credentials about how I feel about Carlisle United. Hopefully my actions will speak louder than words. "