Carlisle United can confirm that effective from 1 July 2024, John Nixon will step down from his role as a director on the board of 1921. This ends John’s 20-year association at the heart of the club as a director.
Following the takeover of the club by the Piatak family in November 2023, John remained on the 1921 board in a Transitional Director role until 30 June 2024.
A lifelong supporter of the club, John was first appointed as a director in 2003. He then became Managing Director on 1 January 2006 after a long and highly distinguished career in business with Pirelli.
John was then part of the ownership group which took over from Fred Story in 2008, alongside Andrew Jenkins and Steven Pattison. He continued his role as Managing Director, completing ten years in that position until June 2016 when he stepped back and moved to the new role of Director of External Affairs on the 1921 board.
He handed over the reins and full day-to-day operational control to current Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens, when the club boards were restructured (1921 to deal with operations and Holdings lead on governance, strategic and funding issues).
From 2016 onwards, John remained in the role of Director of External Affairs on the 1921 board in a non-executive capacity, and he was a director on the Holdings board. This continued until the recent change of ownership when John left the Holdings board and remained a 1921 director to support the change-over of ownership.
During his long career as a club director, John became a highly respected figure in the game as he gave great voluntary service to fellow EFL clubs, the EFL and the FA in a number of roles:
+ John was elected by fellow League Two clubs to serve as their Divisional Club representative on the EFL Board (until June 2023)
+ He served as EFL representative on the FA Board
+ He was EFL Club representative on the FA Council (until June 2024)
+ Chair of the FA Cup Committee (2017/18).
John Nixon said: “I’ve been a lifelong fan since the 1950s and always yearned to be involved, an ambition that was realised on 2003 when John Courtney and Andrew Jenkins invited me to join the board which I was able to do despite still working at Pirelli.
“Supporting and being involved with Carlisle has been a rollercoaster over the years fuelled by adrenaline, excitement, disappointment and raw emotions and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
“Coming from a business background where investment and returns are reasonably predictable, football and CUFC gave additional dynamics. For sure there was investment and returns, but added to that was a deep sense of teamwork, squad injuries, emotion, fan involvement, and in every game “a little luck” driven by conditions, tactics and refereeing decisions!
“Throughout my time at the club I’ve received incredible support from all of the staff helping to get through good and difficult times and I’ll always be eternally grateful for that. I hope I can return some of that sentiment in the future.”
Club chairman Tom Piatak said: “John has been an integral part of Carlisle United for over 20 years, and his dedication as both owner and transitional board member has been nothing short of exemplary.
“His unwavering support and commitment have significantly contributed to the club's growth and success.
“John continues to be a staunch supporter, and we are deeply grateful for his tireless efforts and passion for Carlisle United. His legacy will always be a cornerstone of our club's history."
Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “John has given great service to Carlisle United for over two decades. He loves the club with all his heart and has always wanted nothing but for it to succeed. He guided the club through some difficult and challenging periods, with resilience and perseverance and provided unwavering support throughout, doing the very best he could for the club.
“He also recognised when it was in the interest of the club for him to step back in 2016 and then to pass the club on, putting the club first.
“He has continued to support the club and staff in every way he possibly could throughout my time here. That support behind the scenes was very important for the club in the face of outside interests.
“In recent times, John led the shareholders in dealing with the difficult EWM situation and finally played a key part in bringing the sale to completion. Again, John recognised the need to change and the importance to the club of taking the opportunity the Piatak family would bring.
“John now fully deserves to enjoy his love of the club by supporting from the stands, alongside his fellow supporters, with all best wishes from everyone at the club.”
