Carlisle United’s spending on agents has fallen by more than £10,000 since Paul Simpson returned to the club.

New figures show the Blues spent £49,988 in 2022-23 – compared with £60,001 the previous season.

United’s drop in payments to representatives did not prevent them from making a dramatic improvement in their fortunes on the pitch.

While the Blues’ outlay had increased in 2021-22 – the season they nearly lost their Football League status – the reduction in spending in deals covering last summer and this January have come in a campaign when they have been competing for promotion.

United’s most recent outlay, for 2022-23, was the 14th highest in League Two, having been the eighth highest the previous season.

The new figures cover the first two transfer windows overseen by manager Paul Simpson since his return to the club, as well as head of recruitment Greg Abbott after his appointment last summer - a period in which United have said their football spending has increased.

Some eight deals over the last year are included in the data covering the period from February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 which has been released by the Football Association today.

They include new deals for existing players and new signings.

New contracts for Brennan Dickenson and Taylor Charters are included, as well as the signings of Owen Moxon, Tomas Holy, Ryan Edmondson, Jayden Harris, Paul Huntington and Joe Garner.

The equivalent period the previous year – the final two windows overseen by ex-director of football David Holdsworth, and involving managers Chris Beech and Keith Millen – saw 17 deals included.

Carlisle’s spending is dwarfed by League Two’s biggest agent spenders – newly-promoted Stockport County, who shelled out £236,944 on players’ representatives.

Second highest were Salford City with £121,378, ahead of Crawley Town with £114,445.

The lowest League Two spenders on agents were Crewe Alexandra with £15,585.

United’s fellow Cumbrians Barrow were the fifth lowest spenders on £44,226.

The Blues have been invited to comment on the figures.

Overall, £1,671,168 was paid to agents by League Two clubs – up from £1,285,606 the previous year.

The figures also reveal how National League big spenders Wrexham invested £163,737 on agent fees – more than all but one club in League Two, and more than 14 League One clubs,

Premier League clubs paid a whopping £318.2m to intermediaries in the same period – up from £272.6m.

Manchester City had the highest figure with £51.6m.

The full figures are available on the FA website