Chief executive Nigel Clibbens has been backed by Carlisle United Official Supporters' Club.

Minutes from the CUOSC AGM on Sunday said questions were asked regarding the appointment of Clibbens, who joined the Brunton Park outfit last June.

But Jim Mitchell, CUOSC's Blues board representative, said he felt the expenditure on Clibbens was "worth it".

Mitchell said that Clibbens had also helped to provide better managed finances, more information and listened to CUOSC's point of view, while helping United to engage better with supporters.

CUOSC’s representative on United’s holding company board Billy Atkinson added Clibbens had helped to change the owner's attitude towards the supporters club.

Despite Carlisle's budget for the 2017/18 season being described as "extremely tight", Atkinson said the money spent on players this season was "likely to be the same" as last season.

Atkinson also confirmed the "loan facility" from Edinburgh Woolen Mill (EWM) could not be used to extend the Salary Cost Management Protocol limit, with Mitchell saying the club was very close to that limit.

Meanwhile, on the "loan facility" provided by EWM, Atkinson said that EWM had taken "some interest" in the negotiations with the potential overseas "billionaire" investor that ended in February.

It was reported Philip Day, Cumbria's richest man, wanted to give something back to Carlisle and the community in the city as the reason behind EWM's increased involvement with United.

In response to a question asking whether CUOSC could work being both a trust and supporters' club, Frank Beattie said they would achieve better influence from "inside the tent" at the club. Normal Steel stressed CUOSC still remained a trust.

It was also announced Mike Denovellis would be standing down as vice-chair.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two years as a director on the board of the Carlisle United Official Supporters' Club, particularly the last 12 months in my role as vice-chair," he said on a statement on Twitter.

"It is a role I have committed to. Whenever I accept a position, or commit to a task, I do so on the basis that I can dedicate sufficient time and energy to fulfil what is expected of me.

"With the birth of my son expected in late August to early September, I will no longer have that time or energy to commit to being a director on the board of CUOSC."