Fans' trust CUOSC tonight said they were unaware of the approach to Carlisle United involving businessmen and ex-players which was revealed today.

It emerged this morning that a group of local business people, along with former players Chris Lumsdon and Steve Skinner, had launched proposals to "help" the club.

United did not comment specifically but said they had fielded "tentative enquiries" from different parties.

Ex-midfielder and local media pundit Lumsdon today confirmed his involvement in the approach.

The Carlisle United Official Supporters' Club (CUOSC), who own 25.4 per cent of United's holding company, said they were in the dark about it.

In a comment issued to the News & Star, they said: "CUOSC have a seat on the Holdings Board and shares in the club.

"We are always prepared to speak to anyone with the interests of the club at heart.

"But we have heard nothing of this approach."

The identities of the businessmen behind the new approach, or the details of any deal, have not yet been revealed.

CUOSC have also issued a further comment on the manager search at Brunton Park, having last week said "a quick appointment is in everyone's interests."

They said today: "Time is of the essence with a January window looming and time being short for a new manager to assess the squad in advance of that, but more crucially it is the ‘right appointment’ we need to make at this time to ensure the club turns a corner on the pitch and starts to move back in the right direction as far as the table is concerned."

In a members' briefing, the fans' trust included an update from their Holdings board representative, Billy Atkinson.

Reporting back from a recent board meeting at the club, he said "the club's financial position had stabilised and EWM [United's financial backers Edinburgh Woollen Mill] had not been called on for support in six months."

CUOSC are also planning to hold a members' meeting on Sunday, December 15 at 11am.