Carlisle United: summer targets 'buying into' club vision

The manager says the Blues are trying to get ahead of the game when it comes to recruitment this year having been on the back foot last summer.

Discussions are already taking place and Simpson says the big plans for the Blues under their American owners are not going unnoticed.

“Just as we're speaking to players and agents about the recruitment for the summer, they're all really buying into what we're trying to do and what the club could look like,” said Simpson.

“And hopefully that will be for the benefit of everybody.”

On the preliminary talks already taking place, Simpson – who is targeting a close-season overhaul of his squad – added: “We have to [do it]. We've got to because we went into it late last year, because of the play-offs.

“I'm not complaining about that because it was an unbelievable day out and I'm not complaining about the fact we’ve got to League One, but we've certainly been found wanting at this level, and that's where we need to make sure we're better.”

While relegation looks certain this season with 11 defeats from 12 leaving Carlisle 16 points adrift of safety with nine games left, the bigger picture received a boost this week when the Piataks said the club was on the brink of being debt-free.

United are destined for relegation this season but Simpson says the future is bright (Image: Ben Holmes)

Discussions to remove the £2.4m debt – which the Piataks bought from Purepay when sealing the takeover last November – from any position of risk to the club are being finalised.

Simpson acknowledged what a milestone that will be – and how it shows the club are ready to make major off-field strides, with plans progressing for a new training ground and major overhauls of stands at Brunton Park.

“I'm party to all of the meetings about all the plans that they've got, and the Piatak family are investing millions into this football club,” said Simpson.

“They've already invested those millions to clear the debts – and what an unbelievable position to be in [that is].

“You look around the Football League and you've got all these clubs who are making massive losses, huge losses, and some clubs are not able to pay wages…

“The future for Carlisle United is really, really bright. It really is. I know it's difficult to take at the moment because we're in a horrible position [in the league] because of what's gone on this season.

“But there's a hell of a lot of positive things going on. And if everything goes to plan, when the first game of next season kicks off this football club will be a lot different.

“The East Stand should be different if it can get done in time, the Warwick Road End will be different. We're hoping the facilities on [the Main Stand] side will be different.

“We're hoping we've got a first phase of a training facility that we'll be ready to go into for pre-season – not a building [by that stage], but we'll certainly have hopefully the pitches.

“So there's loads and loads of good things that will help this football club move forward.”