CLUB: The legacy debt has been resolved

A key element of the Piatak Family's takeover of United was the removal of all external club debt.

It was key focus for Tom Piatak when looking to complete the deal, and the Chairman has shed light on what exactly has changed as a result of the deal.

"The legacy debt has been resolved," he said.

"It was a little bit more painful than I thought. I personally believe that there should have been more from their side in terms of being supporters of the club to assist the club, but we were committed to it and we were not going to let that legacy debt slow down the transaction. 

"We ultimately reached a deal, and I think there could have been significantly more on their side so I'm not happy with that aspect, but when we look at it from the vision of where we want to be 10 years from now, the cost to settle that debt is really a very small piece in terms of the overall of where we're headed. 

"We funded Castle Sports Group and Castle Sports Group purchased the debt from Purepay. We should have purchased it at a better price or should have purchased it where some of that money from Purepay could have gone to the training facility or just something to help the club, but it didn't. We weren't going to let that stop us. 

"Right now, Castle Sports Group owns that debt. We've suspended the interest payments and it will not be a burden on the club. 

"We're trying to figure out what is the best way to handle that now from a tax standpoint so it does not hurt the club and is the best for all parties as we resolve it. But it will not be a burden on the club in any way, shape or form moving forward. 

"The plan is not to have the club pay that back. It's not going to be a burden for the club - we viewed that as part of the investment in the club and making sure the club is financially stable moving forward. We do not have plans for the club to pay us back for that."

The confirmation of the takeover last week also saw some updates posted on Companies House - reflecting the initial investment from the family.

"We've put what's required by the EFL going through that [takeover] process in to make sure we can make the transaction happens," explained Tom Sr.

"Everybody that I've talked to knows that we have greater plans than just that. We want to build this up and we know what's necessary to build Carlisle into kind of a regional powerhouse.

"That's the bare minimum, we're going to continue to move forward."

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