Carlisle Utd owner tells AGM: Other clubs would love to have the support we get from EWM

Nixon was speaking at the Blues' AGM, which was attended by only about 20 people in Foxy's Restaurant tonight.

Both Nixon and chief executive Nigel Clibbens responded to a question posed by the News & Star about EWM, after the club's 2017/18 accounts showed United were now £1.31m in debt to Philip Day's firm.

We asked about the fact EWM have continued to say little about their involvement in the club, or any future plans.

Nixon said: "As directors we are very grateful for the support they're giving us.

"Philip Day was a director of this club for a couple of years [in the previous decade] and has remained committed to the club since then.

"The level of financial support they've given us over the last two years has been such that we've been able to keep the club going forward.

"Our position this season is stronger than we were a year ago and that's down to the support we've had from EWM.

"There are lots of clubs in the League who would love to have that kind of support."

Clibbens added that EWM's position had been "100 per cent consistent" since they started extending their support to the Blues with a "loan facility" two years ago.

"They have given their support, and we are grateful for it, and they have kept their counsel as to what their plans are," he said.

Clibbens added that EWM have demonstrated their commitment to the city through the opening of their new Carlisle headquarters, contributing to "jobs and prosperity".

"They see a thriving football club as something for the city to be proud of, and want to play a small part in helping that along," he added.

"Beyond that, nothing has changed. If anything were to change, we would tell supporters."

It was clarified, meanwhile, that Nixon put £112,000 into United last season which he then converted into shares in Carlisle's holdings company - not £92,000 as originally reported.

United said there had been a misprint in the published minutes from the recent Carlisle United Supporters' Groups meeting.

The News & Star asked Nixon to elaborate on this financial contribution, the first significant loan he had made to the club since £20,000 in the 2012/13 year, which has also since been converted to shares.

He intially said: "I shouldn't have to, as this is a 1921 meeting, but in the interests of transparency I will answer".

The co-owner went on to say that the operational (1921) board put together their financial forecasts for the year in April-June, and that highlights whether a cash injection may be needed, the holdings board then asked.

He said those plans may get better or worse depending on how the year goes - for instance, if the club suffers a long-term injury to a player who needs to be replaced.

"Last year, the holdings board were asked to put a bit more in," Nixon said.

"All I can say was that I was in a position where I had to introduce some cash, like Andrew [Jenkins, United's chairman and co-owner].

"When you do that you are left with a choice - leave it as debt and say, 'I'd like it back at some stage,' or as directors say it's better to convert to shares, and that's what we did.

"Why [did I do it]? Since the early 1950s I've been a supporter and always will be a supporter. It isn't the first time I've had to do things [like this] in a small way."

The AGM saw United's operational board directors - Clibbens, Nixon, Suzanne Kidd and Jim Mitchell - on the top table as the club's 2017/18 accounts were presented.

Those accounts saw the Blues record a loss of £121,000, with a further £860,000 of EWM loans having been received during the year - the same amount converted into shares from existing director debt.

Clibbens admitted that conversion served to make the accounts "look better" but also helped to keep the club's overall debt relatively constant instead of rising.

He conceded that such losses were not sustainable, hence the change of financial approach since 2017/18 and a reduction in playing costs.

Finance director Kidd admitted 2017/18 had been a "challenging year" in which it became evident that a change of direction was required.

She said that a mid-season estimate from this campaign showed United were at 98 per cent of their salary cap limit.

Kidd said United's extra financial input into their academy was making that side of the club stronger, while, on total football spending (wages, medical costs, hotels, coaches, scouts, agents), said Carlisle's outlay was about 67p for every £1 the club brought in.

Kidd also highlighted the strength of United's community ticket and Junior Blues schemes and the positive steps taken with supporter groups' initiatives.

She further commented on changes behind the scenes made as part of an attempted new direction, including the appointment of David Holdsworth as director of football.

Clibbens, responding to a question from a shareholder about the reasons for John Sheridan's departure, said the former manager's comments about potential budget for next season were "speculative" on his part and that in reality such figures would not be finalised "for some time".

Clibbens also responded to a shareholder who for the second year running commented on the club being on a "downward spiral", the supporter claiming that was down to more than just results - citing the unpopularity of the board, the Blue Yonder stadium sagas and the "billionaire" episode.

Clibbens first highlighted how United's attendances did go up and down depending on their fortunes on the pitch.

He added: "I accept there are some fans who have a negative view towards aspects of the club and that affects their support.

"We need every supporter we can get. More support means more money and means we can do better things."

The chief executive said the recent #8kforMK promotion, which attracted a 10,000 crowd, had been a "spectacular success" and proved more financially lucrative than what may have otherwise been a normal 4,500 crowd. He said the club shop had a "great day" with programme sales and catering also at their peak this season. He also said it had showcased the potential of the club to a wider audience and the broader community.

Kidd praised the media and ticket office staff behind the scheme.

Asked about when a decision could be made on manager Steven Pressley's future, meanwhile, Clibbens said: "We're supportive of Steven, we like the way he works, everyone's had good things to say about him.

"We don't want it to drag on. It's a completely different situation to last season [when Curle was coming to the end of his tenure and it took United a long time to appoint a successor]. Hopefully it will be resolved as soon as possible."

CUOSC director Mitchell did not speak at the meeting.

*United gave the News & Star permission to attend this year's AGM, a change from previous years.