Carlisle United officials have insisted there is a "widespread desire" at Brunton Park to keep Paul Simpson as manager beyond this season.

But Blues bosses have admitted the matter is far from resolved.

The latest comments from the top of Brunton Park were made in minutes of a recent supporters' groups (CUSG) meeting.

They were published a day after manager Simpson said he had had "very early" talks with United but stressed any deal was some distance from being agreed.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens comments on the Simmo situation in a reply on attendance figures at Brunton Park this campaign.

"It was important, he [Clibbens] stressed, to know the status of Paul Simpson so as to ensure good gates for rest of the season," the minutes say.

"He said there was a widespread desire, both inside and outside the club, to keep Paul Simpson.

"The issue was whether it could be made to happen. He reiterated that Paul didn’t want to talk about a new contract until the team is safe."

Simpson this week said there had been "rumblings" of interest from elsewhere in light of United's impressive form since he returned to the club.

He also suggested certain top-level matters at Brunton Park needed to be resolved before he could consider committing to United.

A club update issued ahead of the fan groups' meeting also said United are aiming to hold an owners' fans' forum, as per EFL rules, "after the season ends" and before June 30.

The same update also underlined that United are still to receive a response from lenders Purepay Retail Limited over proposals over the club's seven-figure debt.

"The Holdings Board continues to seek a response from PurePay to the ideas put forward by the club in December on loan discussions," the update says.

Fans' trust CUOSC have publicly called on Purepay to come to the table "urgently" to discuss the debt situation, with the debt having been 'novated' to Purepay from Philip Day's Edinburgh Woollen Mill, who provide the cash via a loan facility from 2017.

John Jackson, a director of both CUFC Holdings and Purepay, has been invited to comment by the News & Star.

Further comments in the club update say: "Despite making no new advances for nearly three years, since May 2019, and with none planned in future, Purepay Retail Limited still has a very significant financial interest in the club.

"It remains the largest debt provider and secured creditor, holding guarantees from shareholders too. The liability is rising and accelerating with accrued interest.

"As we have changed course and takeover discussions ceased towards the end of 2021, there is some uncertainty until the matter of the repayment of the Purepay loan is resolved."

While Jackson remains on United's board, David Holdsworth - the former director of football who also had links with businessman Day - left United in February.

Carlisle say the involvement of another businessman close to Day, Kevin Dobinson, remains "broadly unchanged" as a commercial adviser.

READ MORE: Paul Simpson on early talks over Carlisle United future amid 'rumblings' from elsewhere