Our annual fixture breakfast signals the start of a new season, and yesterday’s event in Foxy’s Restaurant was attended by over 80 sponsors, partners and local businesses.
Host Ian Milburn, who sported a very fetching American flag themed suit, kicked off the morning by introducing chief executive Nigel Clibbens.
“We are delighted to welcome everyone to the 2024/25 fixture breakfast,” Nigel said. “It’s great to see a full house here to share the exclusive first sight of the fixtures and first reveal of our kit.
“Today is a big day in the annual football calendar and one that signals the real beginning of a new season. Like me I’m sure you are looking with excitement to see what’s ahead.
“Although there are no games at the moment, the closed season is always the busiest time behind the scenes, and this one has been the busiest period in my eight years at the club. You just have to walk around the stadium to see why.
“Under the ownership of the Piatak family, very significant investment and changes are being made across all areas of the club. Everyone at the club is working hard and leaving no stone unturned to make 2024/25 a memorable and successful on and off the field.”
With so much work going on, Nigel gave more detail on what had happened at the club in the past few days: “Almost every day there is something new and exciting. Just this week, we completed a refurbishment of the Neil and relocated the academy staff together we launched our new website.
“On Tuesday we completed work to build new staff and officials changing areas, which is part one of a two-part project to totally transform the west stand area for our players and staff. It will be a huge and long overdue improvement for them.
“We were also thrilled to announce our plans for the Sheepmount – our vision is to create a fantastic training ground for the whole club and bring all the football onto one site as well as creating a brilliant club and community facility. It marks the start of the biggest investment in the club’s history.
“On Tuesday evening we held our third big Euro24 Fan Zone event - taking advantage of the new big screen. It was another great night, and we will have details for the next England game out shortly.
“Every part of the club is now being upgraded and invested in. Everyone can see it, and it’s a really exciting time at the club.
“On top of all of that, there are big strides being taken to build and modernise the entire internal operations of the club. We have seen new staff joining across the club and investments in new IT and systems and processes - much of it is unseen but essential as we catch up on our rivals.
“We have a fantastic range of opportunities available to commercially support and partner with the club - including new partnership programmes, new club champion and chairman’s club, new hospitality opportunities for two new lounges in the East stand plus pitch side LEDs.”
“On the field - the exact same approach is being taken,” he continued. “The ownership and board is doing all it can to put in place the foundations to give us the best chance to win and be successful next season on the pitch.
“Winning is the main thing, and everything must work towards bringing success on the pitch.
“That includes providing the financial fire power to get the players we need - that’s playing budget and support for transfers too. We are also supporting recruitment of more football staff and funding investment in football operations like scouting, recruitment, sports science and medical.
“These developments are all aimed at building a successful and financially sustainable club we can all be proud of.
“After being at the club through some very tough times, it is a fantastic place to be right now and so exciting when we look ahead to the potential to be realised.
“The club and owners can’t do in that alone- we need your support. We have no right to demand or get it - we must be deserving and earn that support.
“I hope you can see with the new vision and ambition from the club plus the actual actions that have already taken place and others in progress, it is being rapidly transformed and we hope you see that transformation are able to support the Blues.
“The Piatak’s are certainly doing everything they promised when they bought the club just seven months ago. It’s a remarkable period off the field and one that is only just starting. I hope you all are as excited about what lies ahead as we are.
“We all truly value your support, and we hope seeing what the ownership and board are doing inspires you to want to be involved and back the Blues next season and in future.”
Club chairman Tom Piatak couldn't make it to the fixture breakfast, but sent the below video message.
The fixtures were then revealed, before Gabe Breeze, Cameron Harper, Harry Lewis and Terell Thomas showed off the brand-new 2024/25 kits sponsored by Aqua Pura, Story Homes, Komatsu and Carlisle Brass.
Thank you to the following businesses who attended the event: Aaron Rail, Aqua Pura, Armstrong Watson, BorderBrite, Burnetts Solicitors, Carlisle Brass, Crosslings, CUFC CST, Cumberland Building Society, Cumberland Council, CUOSC, David Allen, Eddie Shimmings, Halston, Hayward Todd, InvestAcc, JJ Group, Kingmoor Park, Komatsu, Lakes Estates, Lloyds, Liberty Leisure Wear, London Branch, Mercedes, MKM, NLE, Park Gate, Pioneer, Pirelli, PMS, Premier Electrical, Prima Group, Prism Advice, Purple Planet Packaging, Rickerbys, Riverside Recruitment, Scott Duff & Co, Seavor Chartered, Shell, Snif Snax, South Lakes Supporters, Stanwix Holiday Park, TC Scaffolding, Tynedale Farm Services, UJP and World Group.
