Carlisle United's supporters' trust have said Chris Beech's departure was inevitable and it is vital to get the next appointment right.

CUOSC, who have directors on both boards at Brunton Park, issued a statement hours after the news of head coach Beech's exit.

The trust thanked Beech for his work and wished him well but said results in 2021 have not been good enough.

The statement from the CUOSC board said: "CUOSC want to put on record our thanks to Chris Beech for his services and wish him all the best for the future.

"While we believe there was little alternative but to terminate his contract after the recent depressing run of form he was a good, honest man who worked tirelessly on behalf of the club.

"it should be remembered he took us from 19th to the top of the table in 14 months and who knows what would have happened if the Covid pandemic had not intervened.

"However, we all know football is a results driven business and our form since January has not been good enough, with little sign of an upturn.

"It is vital that the next appointment is the right one."

CUOSC have 25.37 per cent voting shares on the strategic Holdings board at Brunton Park, which also includes co-owners Andrew Jenkins, Steven Pattison and John Nixon, shareholder Lord Clark, and John Jackson from Purepay Retail Limited - the company United owe more than £2m.