A message from Tom Piatak on the anniversary of the Piatak family taking over at the club:
Dear Supporters,
Today we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the start of a new transformative chapter in the history of Carlisle United Football Club.
It has been a privilege to lead this incredible club in this first year, and as I reflect on all we have achieved together in just 365 days, I am filled with immense pride, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead.
When we took over last November, our vision was clear: to build a sustainable, ambitious, and thriving future for Carlisle United while staying true to the traditions and spirit that make this Club so special.
Thanks to your unwavering support and belief, we’ve made significant progress toward realising that vision, but we are only just getting started.
The improvement on the pitch is of the utmost importance. Rest assured, the ownership group understands this and is pushing forward on all fronts to improve our position, move up the table, and, ultimately, ascend the football pyramid.
Looking back on this first year, there are so many things to highlight:
Strengthening Football Operations:
• A significantly increased player budget to ensure we can be competitive and achieve the success we all desire.
• A new coaching staff to modernise our style of play and position us for success.
• A new football structure with the appointment of a new Sporting Director, Rob Clarkson, to oversee the development and improvement of our football operations and drive performance excellence.
• Investments in football staff, infrastructure, IT and support functions as we begin to build a high performance environment, to catch up and overtake our rivals
Fan-Focused Enhancements:
• Installation of a new permanent big screen in the West side Fan Zone, to enhance the matchday experience and allow us to hold great community non-matchday events like the Euros.
• Development of a new website, app, and CUTV streaming service to deepen engagement with supporters and bring fans closer to the Club they love.
• Infrastructure for 220m of electronic pitch-side LED perimeter advertising boards.
• Creation of a new Warwick Road End Fan Zone with much improved toilets, food and drink facilities, and most recently its own big screen
• Ongoing investments in fan amenities, including new turnstiles, food concessions, improved disabled access and increased capacity, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all supporters.
Support for Players and Staff:
• Acquisition of eight new properties to provide upgraded accommodation for players and staff, fostering a professional and supportive environment that helps to attract people to the club.
• Integration of the Club and Community Sports Trust in a new and closely connected structure that enhances our impact in the community.
• Refurbishment of the Neil Centre, providing much improved facilities for our Academy and bringing staff all together for the first time.
• A rebuild of the first-team changing areas and official rooms on the West side to provide first class facilities.
• Almost doubling our admin staff numbers to ensure we have adequate resources to operate the club effectively and drive our growth plans.
Sustainability, Growth and Development:
• Restructuring the Club’s finances to remove the significant risk from external funders and provide the capital and equity funding to move the Club forward.
• The biggest single capital investment in Club infrastructure for over 20 years. New high standard executive boxes and lounges in the East stand, more than doubling our hospitality capacity and creating opportunities to grow revenue.
• Major progress on plans for a state-of-the-art training facility at the Sheepmount, with significant investment being planned to support long-term development and bring much needed new facilities to the Club and community.
• A new approach to our commercial activities, building new relations with local and regional businesses, opening up the Club to new people
• An international partnership with Jacksonville, Florida, opening exciting opportunities, including a sister cities initiative to showcase Carlisle and Cumbria to a broader audience.
Heritage and Engagement:
• Launch of a Heritage Fund project to celebrate Carlisle United’s rich history and legacy.
• New innovative partnership with the University of Cumbria to collaborate in a wide range of areas.
Communication and Transparency:
Your voice matters to us, and we are committed to listening, engaging, and ensuring that our decisions reflect the heart of the club — its fans. We understand the importance of being accessible and transparent with our supporters. From day one of our involvement in the Club, we have made it a priority to strengthen communication by:
• Being present in the Fan Zone before every match we attend, providing opportunities for direct interaction with fans.
• Holding Fans’ Forums to answer your questions and discuss the future of the Club.
• Offering regular interviews and updates to ensure supporters are informed about key developments.
• Working closely with Carlisle United Supporters Trust through its nominated 1921 board director, to ensure the “fans’ voice” is at the heart of the Club and its decision making.
These accomplishments represent the foundation of something much bigger. Carlisle United is poised for greatness, and together, we will build the Club into a regional powerhouse that truly Owns the North.
With our ambitious plans for growth, we are determined to make Carlisle United a Club that inspires pride, not just in Cumbria, but throughout the football world.
This is only the beginning.
The future for Carlisle United Football Club is incredibly bright, and I could not be more excited about the journey ahead. Thank you for your passion, belief, and unwavering support. It is your energy that drives us forward every single day.
Here’s to the next chapter — and to an even greater future for the Blues!
With gratitude and ambition,
Tom Piatak
Chairman, Carlisle United Football Club.
