The late Carlisle United fan Jim Mitchell has been praised for his admirable “legacy” in helping grow the club’s community sports trust.

Lifelong fan Mr Mitchell died in December aged 76.

As well as being a supporters’ trust director on the Blues’ board, he was a long-serving chair of United’s community organisation.

His impact in this role was profound, according to trustee Steve Smith.

Writing in notes to Carlisle United Community Sports Trust’s latest accounts, he said: “I find myself writing this report, the first as a ‘larger charity’, in the shadow of the sad passing of Jim Mitchell, the trust’s founding father and our only chair of trustees during the existence of the trust since its foundation in 2008.

“Jim has steered the trust from an idea to what is now a ‘larger charity’ with calm, measured and clear direction, but above all with passion dedication and a sure belief that the work of the trust would be a force for good in the local community.

“Jim leaves a sound legacy and we thank him for creating such a solid foundation; the trustees are dedicated to picking up the baton and building a strong and sustainable future for the trust.”

Mr Mitchell passed away in December having been suffering from motor neurone disease.

His colleagues at the club and supporters’ trust CUOSC said he was someone who “lived and breathed” Carlisle United and always wanted the club to be at the heart of the community.

The CST’s annual report, accompanying the accounts, goes on to note how, in 2021/22, the trust emerged from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The trust had to adapt its delivery of a range of activities during the pandemic. “The trustees wish to record their thanks and appreciation to all our staff who, throughout this unprecedented period, continued to find ways to maximise a positive impact on the community,” the report says.

The report refers to some of the wide-ranging projects overseen by the CST, including education and football scholarships, National Curriculum coaching, traineeships, disability football, soccer schools, mental health football sessions, a new Armed Forces and Veterans club, walking football and support for a range of community partners.

Financially, the report showed the CST’s total incoming resources were £523,124 during the year ending June 30 2022, resulting in net incoming resources of £1,321 and unrestricted funds of £601,787.

It meant the trust’s running costs came in at a lower figure than their reserves. “The trustees’ aim is to hold sufficient funds to meet the running costs of the charitable company for a period of 12 months,” the report adds.

The trust also drew up a new strategic three-year plan for the  period 2022-2025, revisiting plans that were disrupted by the Covid pandemic.

Future plans include a pledge to re-establish projects and services that were interrupted during Covid, maintaining a reputation for quality delivery, ensuring its people remain fully engaged and equipped with the necessary skills and training, and ensuring the change of leadership at the CST is “managed as seamlessly as possible”.

The latter refers to the recent retirement of club legend John Halpin as CST manager.