Chief executive Nigel Clibbens spoke last week about the possibilities of a new training ground following the news that the Piatak family had taken over the club.
“When I first came into the club we initially talked about the stadium, primarily, and it was clear the Council wanted to be supportive of the football club.
“The problem we had is when you talk about long term investments and partnerships like that, the immediate question is ok, we’re supportive, how long are you guys going to be around. It’s very difficult to progress those conversations when you’re actively trying to sell and seeking further investments.
“This is why succession and investment was so important – it unlocks conversations and opportunities that are otherwise in hiatus. When Suzanne and I and Tom went to see Jane Meek at the Council before the deal was completed, it was a get to know you session again.
“It was a good conversation, and a chance for Tom to explain where the family see the club going forward and how we can work together with the council across the whole community. It wasn’t just about the football club saying help us, this is what we want, it was about how the club can play a bigger part in the future in the development of this city and the community for its people, which I think struck a chord and we’ve agreed to meet again once the deal was done.
“At the same time I had a meeting with Mark Fryer, the leader of the Council, about the issues around the club and what we’d like to do in the future, and again he was very positive, and really open minded about working with the club.
“These are good initial steps, but they’re very initial and there’s a lot of work to do. But it shows things are moving already. I think that’s the key.
“The Council clearly see how a successful football club can energise a city and its people, and all the benefit that brings. And at the same time they recognise the great work football clubs do in the community, in all the programmes they’re doing, all kinds of social areas.
“It’s not just about money, it’s the fact someone is going to be here for a good period, which means we can all start to look at things more long-term – that’s as important as anything. These things do take time to deliver."
And on whether there are any initial sites in mind, he said: “We talked about the size of land that we would need, we need to take a big picture view of this, not to race into something that we’d find we’ve outgrown. This is where the balance is between doing something quickly and something that’s right.
“Everybody knows training facilities need a big area. They don’t need many buildings, but a lot of land for pitches. But pitches cost a lot of money to level, drain and irrigate, and get to a standard for a professional club.
“We’ve got to look at this very carefully. I think the Council understand and they can see the benefit of a facility like that, not just for Carlisle United but community use as well. You see a lot of joint schemes like that and hopefully that’s something that could work for us all going forward.”