Carlisle United have described a fans' bid to raise £10,000 for Keith Curle to spend on players as a "fantastic gesture".

The online crowdfunding initiative this morning passed the £4,500 mark.

It was launched in response to Keith Curle's claim that only a big crowd at this weekend's Barnet game would generate enough funds to make the signings he wants before the transfer window closes.

It was set up by the Carlisle United Official Supporters' Club (CUOSC).

United spokesman Andy Hall said: "Crowdfunding is something that as a club we have been discussing for a number of weeks with CUSG - with ideas along the lines of projects to refurbish the Sunset Suite, a new scoreboard, and so on.

"CUOSC, as part of CUSG, have been very much at the heart of those discussions.

"On this particular idea, we were made aware on Monday afternoon that CUOSC were interested in looking at something like this. It was then launched on Tuesday morning.

"In terms of being a fan-led initiative, it’s another example of how our fans get behind the club.

"It is an absolutely fantastic gesture and it will be interesting to see how it goes."

CUOSC's vice-chair Mike Denovellis said the idea was run past the club on Monday and they "gave it the OK".

He said he set up the crowdfunding page after being contacted by some fans who were unable to make the Barnet game but still wanted to help Curle, while it had also been suggested on TheCumbrians.net forum.

"Seven days to raise a minimum of £10,000 is a big ask, but if we don't try, we'll never know whether it was possible or not," Denovellis said.

"There will likely be thousands of supporters around the globe who are unable to attend on Saturday, but would be willing to contribute a few pounds to the cause, if it meant Keith Curle was able to strengthen his squad a little before the end of the transfer window."

Fans have been told that their money will not be taken if the minimum £10,000 target is not reached.

Because the minimum period for crowdfunding is two weeks, the project's deadline is on February 6 - but fans want to hit the target before the end of the transfer window next Tuesday.

"If for whatever reason, no signings are made before the end of the transfer window, either due to lack of funds or some other reason, then all funds raised [assuming above the £10,000 minimum target] will be used by CUOSC, either for a future transfer window, or for another project that will directly benefit Carlisle United supporters," Denovellis added.

Pledges can be made on the crowdfunding site via Paypal, while CUOSC say they can also take cash or cheques in the study centre at Brunton Park from 1.15pm-2.45pm on Saturday. No cheques will be cashed unless the £10,000 target is reached.

United, meanwhile, said work was already under way at Brunton Park that would hopefully result in new faces being added to Curle's squad.

"As the manager has said, there are things ongoing this week that will hopefully come to fruition on the player front, in and out," Hall added.

"He [Curle] has made it clear that the club has, since October and November, been looking at and identifying potential targets and making sure we are in a position to move on that.

"That is ongoing. Hopefully, crowdfunding aside, people will see the fruits of that labour across the next seven days of this transfer window."

Asked what the process would be if the £10,000 was raised, Hall said: "At that point the club would sit down with CUOSC. It’s something new so we would be interested to see what they have in mind.”

The fans' fundraising efforts come despite the club having been in long-standing talks with a "potential overseas investor", previously described as a "billionaire", since May 2015.

The crowdfunding page is http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/carlisle-united-fc-fund-a-player/?