Carlisle United chiefs say they have held face-to-face talks the mystery "billionaire" interested in investing in the club.

United's chief executive Nigel Clibbens said the club needed to see signs of “substantive progress” from the potential investor at a recent fans' forum.

Talks between the club and individual have continued and and the board of directors met on September 15 to be updated.

However, the identity of the potential investor has still not been revealed.

In statement issued by the club this evening, a spokesman said: "However, at that time we had yet not achieved the meeting in the UK which we all wished to see take place, though it had been pencilled in.

"We wanted that meeting to happen in order to be able to have a clear view of the position, and the way forward, and also to be able give a fuller and more meaningful update to supporters.

"We are pleased to be able to report that the meeting has now taken place and, importantly, we have also agreed the next steps and a timetable for the process."

Tomorrow marks 500 days since the Blues announced they had received “genuine and firm” interest from a wealthy overseas individual.

Mr Clibbens said: "As a result of recent events, and our face-to-face meeting which included a detailed discussion with the interested party, the directors, including the director representing CUOSC, have all agreed that we have seen the progress we wanted.

"The approach taken by the club was welcomed by the potential investor who again stressed the need for confidentiality in all ongoing discussions.

"We will continue to push forward with the next steps, as agreed at the meeting, and see where it takes us."