The chairman of Carlisle United’s Official Supporters’ Club says he believes the club have come out of the “billionaire” investor saga “poorly”.

In a joint CUOSC and Carlisle United club statement released on Monday night, the club revealed they had ended talks with a potential foreign investor – 650 days after they were first approached.

It has become a situation that has proven divisive among many Carlisle fans and CUOSC chairman John Kukuc believes the club have come out of the episode in a negative light.

“I think they [Carlisle United] have come out very poorly, to be perfectly honest,” he told the BBC.

“That’s possibly because it has dragged on so long and, to be fair, in secret.”

The identity of the potential overseas investor, described as a “billionaire” early in the saga, was not revealed in the statement, with the Blues claiming legal issues are preventing them from doing so at this stage.

Kukuc also revealed CUOSC were invited to meet the potential investor last October – but, prior to the meeting, they were presented with a non-disclosure agreement.

“We were engaged in early discussions with the board about the shareholders agreement,” Kukuc added.

“We had repeatedly pressed the club about this investor because we are fans, to be perfectly honest, and we would really like to know what was going on.


John Kukuc “At the end of October last year, we [CUOSC representatives] were invited to meet this potential investor.

“Prior to meeting him in the boardroom, we were presented with a non-disclosure agreement, which we all signed.

“So, I am not able to give you that person’s [the investor’s] name.”

Monday’s statement added a “desire” to see new investment into the club “remains unchanged”.

Kukuc said: “The club have repeatedly told us that they are looking for investment.

“We have actively looked at alternatives over previous years and we continue to look at ways of making the club move forward in a stronger financial position.”

CUOSC say they will be releasing a more detailed statement to their members tomorrow but would yesterday not comment further.