Carlisle United have said they are blameless over a job advert that appeared to make Darren Edmondson’s academy manager position available months before his departure.

An organisation called the DB Sports Agency carried an advertisement for a position titled ‘Academy Manager / Lead Youth Development Phase’ at Carlisle United before the end of last season.

That had a closing date of April 1, and appeared long before yesterday’s decision by Carlisle to part company with Edmondson.

United, though, told the News & Star the ad had nothing to do with them.

They said they had NOT placed that particular advert themselves and would not advertise a position like this while someone was in post.

The club also said they have never used the DB Sports Agency for such matters.

The Blues believe, instead, that an advert on the club website in January for a part-time youth development phase coaching position within their academy was picked up and misinterpreted by the agency who promote various vacancies in football.

The job description of that vacancy included a line showing the successful candidate would be responsible to "Academy Manager / Lead Youth Development Phase Coach".

United added that they only ever advertise club vacancies on their own website, through the EFL or occasionally Carlisle Jobcentre. They confirmed Edmondson’s position will be advertised through their normal channels.

The News & Star contacted the DB Sports Agency to enquire about the source of the job advert.

A spokesperson said: "Our job postings can come from one of two places - posted directly by a client or from one of our partner job sites.

"Unfortunately we cannot disclose client information."