Fans have “limited” confidence in Carlisle United’s owners, a survey by the supporters’ trust has found.

And CUOSC’s survey also showed that supporters only have “moderate” belief in the trust themselves.

The extensive questionnaire, which the trust said was completed by more than 200 fans, also found that United’s followers wanted owners to be “open and honest” and meet fans more often.

CUOSC said a score of just four out of 10 in terms of “confidence” in the current ownership “echoed the clarion calls for change” at the top of the club which have been heard for years among Blues fans.

The survey, they said, found that fans placed high importance on owners being “open and transparent…with clarity over the ultimate owner and/or controlling person also seen as important.”

Fans said they preferred a stable and sustainable club, prizing long-term investment, vision and strategy over “short-term success”.

The survey also found a strong feeling against the idea that clubs should be allowed to secure debt against key assets such as a stadium – which is the current case with the Blues regarding their debts to Purepay Retail Limited.

The trust themselves, meanwhile, received a lukewarm reception in their own survey.

They received a “moderate” score of 5.9 out of 10 from respondents, though fans agreed that the need for such a representative body was strong (with a score of 7.1).

Fans said the role of the trust should be to promote supporters’ views in the running of the club, ensure the club is being run responsibly and sustainably, and to help communicate both the strategy of the club and community based projects.

Supporters, though, were less in favour of a trust taking overall ownership.

CUOSC said: “The survey highlighted the difficulties CUOSC face in adequately representing the views of all our supporters.

“The results of this questionnaire give us plenty of food for thought when it comes to explaining and promoting the work we do.

“How can a supporter body hope to maintain a meaningful influence at the club and within the boardroom without being seen as ‘lackies’ of the other shareholders and directors?”

The survey covered a range of other areas including communication, inclusivity and the wider game.

The trust added: “The CUOSC board will now work with these results to shape our ‘manifesto’ for the future of CUFC, work on which began earlier this year.

“This document will map out what we believe ‘good looks like’ at Brunton Park and how we can go about making it a reality.

“Of course, it won’t happen overnight, because it will need a lot of people to buy into the concept, and help bring about the changes that are needed to win the backing of the community.

“Carlisle United doesn’t exist in isolation. There is little doubt that the revolution we all hope will be ushered in by the government review into the game has the power to positively affect us as well as other clubs.

“CUOSC will be doing all we can to make sure United get a proper benefit from the new deal for football once it takes shape.”

United have been invited to comment.

The survey findings can be found in detail HERE