Board members at Carlisle United’s supporters’ trust have denied that they are motivated by a desire to cling on to their positions.

Leading figures at CUOSC say they are “committed” to introducing new people to the trust’s top table.

They made the comments in response to criticism from a fan, published in their latest members’ briefing.

It follows a period of controversy over mixed messages about the co-opting of a new board member.

That led to the resignation of another board member, Mark Middling, who took “whole responsibility” for some incorrect statements.

His resignation is not mentioned in the trust’s latest emailed briefing.

But they do respond to comments from one member, who is not named but identified as part of the Unita Fortior supporter movement.

The fan said they were “dismayed” that the addition of Paul Halliday to the CUOSC board was “withheld from members” and not disclosed at a members’ meeting the following day.

The trust were accused of making such decisions “behind closed doors” and the failure to be open about this “smacks of being a closed group doing whatever it takes to hold your positions.”

Halliday, it was revealed in a briefing last week, had been co-opted to the trust board - only for it later to be confirmed that he had turned down the chance to be a board member until potentially a later date.

Responding to the criticism, meanwhile, the CUOSC board said: “We would like to refute the idea that any of the board are simply trying to 'hold their positions'.

“We are committed to a process of introducing new people so they can assess whether they want to be involved long-term and for us to assess their suitability.

“We have used this process many times in the past as do many other trusts.

“Co-opted members can join the board until the date of the next AGM, at which time they will usually be required to stand as a candidate to become an elected member.”

CUOSC went on to reiterate their explanation over the Halliday situation, which they had initially given to the News & Star in response to our request for comment last week.

They “apologised” for the situation and added: “We didn't announce anything at the meeting at Paul's request. He later confirmed to us that he did not wish to take up the board position offered.

“Unfortunately the briefing was based on the original position of Paul being co-opted and was not amended accordingly before going out.

“He remains enthusiastic and wants to contribute as a non-board member with a view to potentially joining up later.

“It's still the case that we are looking for people with a positive attitude who have sufficient time, energy and skills to assist us, whether board members or not.”

READ MORE: What's inside the Carlisle United supporters' trust's new 'manifesto'?