Philip Day: If I didn't sponsor Carlisle Utd, club might not exis

The Cumbrian billionaire whose firm are loaning cash to Carlisle United says the club wouldn't exist without his financial help.

Philip Day, owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill, made the remarks in a rare interview with The Sunday Times.

Two months ago it was revealed that EWM had a charge against Brunton Park having made "loan facilities" available to the Blues.

It has sparked speculation that Day's firm were poised to take a more involved role in United's affairs.

EWM have so far declined to comment either on the arrangement or how it might develop.

But in the interview with the national newspaper's Oliver Shah, Day briefly touched upon the Blues.

He said: “To be honest, I don’t even like football — my game is really rugby.

"But a lot of people who work with us go to Carlisle, and if I didn’t sponsor it, I don’t think it would exist.”

EWM have so far failed to respond to the News & Star's requests for comment since news emerged in March of the charge against United's ground.

The Blues have so far played down suggestions it will lead to ownership change, with co-owner John Nixon recently telling a group of fans that Day did not want the "hassle and heartache" of owning a club.

But chief executive Nigel Clibbens last month did admit EWM were getting on board with United "in a more involved way".

He also said their input was part of moves to reduce the club's long-standing reliance on co-owner and chairman Andrew Jenkins.

EWM are expected to increase their commercial involvement with United this summer.

The Sunday Times Rich List rated Day's wealth at £1.15bn, but in the interview the tycoon said: "Ok, the company's worth £1bn, but I don't have anything like the money of a billionaire. I'd have to sell everything."