CUSG Meeting Summary - Remote meeting via Zoom, 20.01.2025
Attendance – John Kukuc (Chair), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Claire Winder (Supporters’ Trust), Dave Brown (London Branch), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporter), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters’ Club), Teresa Mulholland (EDI Rep), David Gale (EDI Rep), Nigel Clibbens, Peter Dunn, Amy Nixon (CUFC)
Apologies – Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road Enders), Keith Elliott (CUSAT)
John introduced the meeting and asked for a volunteer note taker. Simon agreed to take notes for this meeting. Groups would seek out a volunteer and the Supporters’ Trust would speak to their new secretary. If a permanent note taker was not found, attendees would do it in rotation.
1. Club update
This had been circulated amongst the group in advance of the meeting and can be viewed HERE.
The following questions were asked.
Claire – Feedback from hospitality guests in the United Lounge at the Bradford game was that the optional food offering was expensive and the player Q&A session seemed to be rushed. Guests had not been entered into the competitions. Nigel said that the hospitality offering for this game did not include food, acknowledged that there was only one host to cover the whole ground and apologised that guests should have been advised that competition entry is now via a QR code on the menu. There is appreciably lower uptake from fans for hospitality for the 1230 kick offs.
John – Advised of long and slow moving queues attempting to enter C stand. Amy said she witnessed delays due to a fan with poor mobility going up the stairs. John felt the issue was more one of congestion exasperated by issues with the ticket scanners. Nigel explained that ticket scanning was necessary to prevent ticket fraud with fans buying cheaper category tickets. The club would review and make adjustments as required.
Claire – Asked if there were any plans to run another community day this season, as this is an excellent fan engagement event, as demonstrated by the festival of football in October. Amy said that Easter would present the best opportunity for another event and the Club will look into if this is viable. Claire also provided positive feedback from fans on recent digital outputs including training sessions and the Cedwyn Scott interview.
Dave B – Asked if the Club have any influence over which games are switched to 1230 kick offs. Amy advised that the Club do not and for the remainder of this season, only a minimum of 4 weeks notice has to be given for a fixture time change.
Dave B – Queried that currently, there is a first team and an u18 youth team, but asked if there are there plans to extend the development section of the club from next season? Nigel agreed that it is a difficult conundrum to solve and not one currently under discussion but one that in due course the Sporting Director would be reviewing.
Andrew – Why did we not sell more tickets to Bradford and put them in the Waterworks End as well? Nigel explained that extra income would have not been viable versus stewarding and policing costs..
Andrew - Would it be possible if the portacabin bars sold a choice of classic football food, like pies? Nigel explained that food vendors are encouraged to offer a wide variety of choice in the fan zone. The weekly post-match feedback email to fans was a good way of suggesting additions for different food. The club always welcomed ideas.
Andrew - Who is the official kit supplier for the 2025/26 season and how long is that deal in place? Nigel confirmed that Umbro remain the kit suppliers for 2025/26 and the deal expires on in June 2026. The kit for next season has been ordered and is in production.
Andrew - Are the club planning any maintenance days at the end of the season? It would be good to give members who wish to take part plenty of notice. Nigel explained that the close season timetable for ground works has not yet been finalised but agreed that utilising the offer of a volunteers army of fans would be a significant benefit. Arrangements to be confirmed in May.
Claire - Asked if the tone of a pre-Bradford match tweet from the Club was appropriate. Amy said that consideration had been given and felt the content was engaging and on balance was appropriate in the build up to a game.
Keith - How will the club get around/ deal with the more stringent financial constraints about to be imposed on League 1 and League 2? Nigel explained that the new rules will have a low impact on the Club and for some clubs it will mean their owners will have to inject further money each year.
Keith – The media team used to do stuff in the corridor where the lads got involved. There appears to be less interaction although we have a slightly bigger media team. Is there a disconnect between the football department and the rest of the club which may be the reason for this? Amy explained that in the current circumstances it was felt “fun” and light hearted player content of that sort could be misconstrued and so it wasn’t being put out. Nigel emphasised that there is no disconnect within the club and all the players and staff have a very strong sense of internal unity together.
Keith - Are there plans for something like we did in the past e.g. 8k for MK. Nigel advised that there had already been a ticket promotion game this season v Harrogate and there was no plan for another this season.
Simon – Asked if there were any plans to replace the ‘United’ sign opposite the study centre. Group members and Club staff agreed it needed replacing. Simon agreed to look at opportunities to collaborate with University of Cumbria students. He would report back on options to the next meeting.
2. Finance
Bank balance is £5,268.31 with ringfenced funds of £3,500 for memorabilia project and £72.40 for the prediction competition. £95 is owing to dave gale for sensory ear defenders and a radio for visually impaired supporters. The process to close the disabled supporters bank account and transfer funds into the CUSG account, is underway.
Equality, Diversity and Disabled
Boxing Day Food bank/Homeless collection
Food bank/homeless items collection went well, all items delivered and collected.
Sensory Bags
The launch of the sensory bags has taken place with several bags loaned out and feedback has been greatly appreciated. Continued promotion of the bags via comms would be greatly appreciated.TM to look at organising an article for fans to share their experiences of using the bags and promote via club website and socials.
Autism Awareness Day
Ross Mattinson the clubs EDI Autism Rep Volunteer produced a workshop on Autism Awareness and delivered to our fan base and the match day stewards prior to KO. Ross’s presentation was fantastic as this was from his lived experience and this came across on the delivery. One of the match day stewards commented post-match that she really enjoyed Ross session, we are looking to organise for Ross to come along and deliver his workshops to the community coaches, more match day stewards and security personnel to give them a better understanding of autism and the challenges match day experiences may create. Ross also refereed the Pan Disability junior football match between Bee Unique and Carlisle Reivers pre CUFC match KO. Bee Unique raised £100 from their bucket collection.
NHS Testing 1st February
The NHS community Team will be in the fan zone handing out free testing kits for fans.
⚽💙 A Healthy Heart for Our Fans! 💙⚽
Saturday, 1st February, at Brunton Park, we’re proud to welcome Cumbria Health who will be handing out free CVD self-test kits to fans attending the match.
These kits are quick and simple to use at home, helping you:
✅ Find out your heart age
✅ Check your cholesterol levels
✅ Assess your risk of heart attacks and strokes
Health is important on and off the pitch, and this is your chance to take control of yours—all in just 10 minutes!
Look out for their stall at the game and grab your kit. Together, let’s support healthier lives for all our fans! 💪❤️
Football V Homophobia-15th February
EDI Representatives in the Fan Zone promoting the Football V Homophobia event as well as the club promoting via the media assets that have been circulated.
Level Playing Field-4th March 7pm
We will be promoting Level Playing Field campaign, seeking views from disabled supporters and using the physical and digital assets that Level Playing Field have provided.
T-shirts for players for warm up? Or use during the week. Presence in fan zone from all of EDI representatives. Annual LPF fan survey results distributed this week.
Her Game Too/International Women’s Day-15th March
As part of the International Women’s Day calendar, we are hoping to interview inspirational women from our community and share these videos as we did on the run up to BHM. Interviewing prominent women from the club, and community with talks given in the study centre on the day. We will also be promoting HG2 via our HG2 EDI rep Nataly Mason. We have 10 HG2 t-shirts but will be looking at purchasing more for the first team to wear during warm up to promote the campaign along with a selfie board for the fan zone and invite as many girls team along to the community stand and block 8.
Dementia Group
Our next United in Memories sessions will take place in the East Stand on Friday 31stJanuary.A huge thank you to Keith Ward for all his help with this and to Nigel Clibbens for allowing this to take place in the East Stand.
Disabled fans
Dave G gave examples of support that he had provided to disabled fans and positive outcomes that included sharing feedback from fans with the Club. A recent development was the agreement to look to enhance some of the disabled toilets to make them stoma friendly. Dave acknowledged that some fans were struggling to buy carer tickets for away games and would look into the issue.
Backing the Blues
The exhibition at Tullie concluded on 10 November, having had almost 9000 visitors with a further 14,000 visitors attending the programme of engagement events during the same period. Over 1500 people attended a Festival of Football that saw visitors at Brunton Park and then a full squad meet and greet finale event at the museum.
Volunteers known as the Carlisle United Collective are now taking some of the items on a community tour to visit places around the city and then setting about on the huge task of archiving all the material before then working towards establishing a museum at Brunton Park. Installations are in place at the Kings Head pub, indoor market, Warwick Road bed centre and Botcherby Community Centre, with further around the city planned.
We have received a huge amount of donations but items can still be donated for the archive. If you would like to donate any items or join the Carlisle United Collective to support various aspects of this project, please contact archives@carlisleunited.co.uk
Andrew asked if there was any scope for a community tour exhibition in Kendal and Simon agreed to consider this option.
SLO update
The SLO team of meeters and greeters have taken on a key supporting role to enhance the matchday experience for our visiting community groups. The popularity of the Cumberland Building Society sponsored activity now means that a team of volunteers are needed to provide a mini ground tour and answer questions from young and often first time visitors.
With EDI reps in the fan zone, this allows the SLO team to expand our ground coverage on a matchday. We collate issues to raise with the club, so that they can be resolved (where possible). We are always on the lookout for more meeters and greeters, so please get in touch if you would like to join the team. As a thank you for helping you will receive a complimentary match ticket.
Key to providing excellent quality information for our fans travelling away is the development of strong relationships with other SLO’s and the Dedicated Football Officer. We always have an SLO present at our away games to liaise with the home staff and we host visiting SLO’s who attend games at Brunton Park. The away mascot reciprocal agreement has been taken up by approximately two thirds of opposition teams and we support this by arranging a London Branch funded goody bag to be handed over on the day.
Events and calendar
All attendees agreed that both the 74/75 event and the fans forum had been enjoyable events hosted in the new hospitality lounges.
The latest calendar of events was reviewed.
Group updates:
Scottish Supporters
Keith reminded all about the United in Memories dementia group that next meet on Friday 31 January in the Cumbrian Lounge. The meetings receive excellent feedback from family members and carers.
Supporters’ Trust
Fan Engagement: Started putting into practice increased engagement for both Members and the wider fanbase.
Held an online Members Meeting last night (Sun 19th Jan), these will be regular throughout the year with a Calendar being planned. We’ll bring stuff from these to CUSG no doubt!
Will also be utilising social media as part of this increased engagement. Trialling a X/Twitter space next month.
Also starting from the Swindon Match, we’ll have a presence in the Fan Zone again. Old stands were good but popularity of FZ means not practical now. We’ll have a Gazebo temporarily for rest of this Season, and hope to have a more permanent container for the 25/26 Season (working with the Club to sort this!). Will post exact location and details on our Socials.
Survey: Recently put out a Survey to Members regarding aforementioned Engagement. Over 500 replies. Now working through Feedback to look at some improvements. New, improved Briefing will start from first Sun in Feb off the back of Feedback.
Defibrillator Appeal: Final part of a new fundraiser to increase the number of Defibs at Brunton Park is being worked on. CUST have committed to purchasing the first one of these. Keep an eye out for this going live and would appreciate it being shared by other Groups.
London Branch
In addition to the many members attending games, we have been providing a venue to watch Carlisle Sky games together in Central London.
In conjunction with the club, we presented 7475 tee shirts to the 7475 players and family members in the Legends lounge at the Chesterfield game.
Andy Hall and his team – Anna and Kris are continuing the revamp of our communications and we are now on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky and there are improvements being made to our website.
We are pleased that membership is at all all-time high despite the performances on the pitch.
Travel
2 coaches to Fleetwood again from Jesmond St leaving at 1000 , hopefully a change in fortune and we win.
South Cumbria
Membership:
Total Memberships: 75 (+1 since the last meeting)
Adults: 52 (+1)
Family Memberships: 21
Under 16s: 2
Growth: +1 adult member since the last meeting
Coach Travel/Car Share:
Recent Away Days: 6 off Port Vale, 8 off Crewe, and 8 off Tranmere (all car share)
Home: We had a coach of 20 attend the Morecambe home game on December 26
Upcoming: Fleetwood – 10 off car share
Future: Grimsby Away - possible coach
Date of next meeting 3 March
