Carlisle United's chief executive has told fans that the club is now "very close" to a decision on whether to do an investment deal with a mystery overseas businessman.

The latest update in the 646-day "billionaire" saga emerged in minutes of a recent supporters' groups [CUSG] meeting.

It quotes Nigel Clibbens as saying the club's owners are at last getting answers to some of their key questions regarding the mystery suitor.

Those most closely involved in discussions have been co-owners Andrew Jenkins and John Nixon and, more recently, the Carlisle United Official Supporters' Club.

Clibbens said: "In my view, in the last two or three weeks we have finally made significant headway in getting answers to our outstanding questions.

"I think CUOSC and the other shareholders have been able to dig deeper into the detail and gain more insight into the ideas and plans the investor has in mind.

"That has been most welcome for everybody and has brought us very close to being able to decide whether to do a deal or draw a line and move on."

In the CUSG minutes, CUOSC chairman John Kukuc describes recent discussions over investment as "very challenging", a view echoed by CUOSC's representative on United's board, Jim Mitchell.

The CUSG meeting then saw a "lengthy discussion about the issues with investment and some of the reasons for the time it has taken to get to this point".

"Nigel explained he thought communicating to supporters via the CUSG group was important to the club," the minutes also say.

Other issues discussed included the future of the controversial Checkatrade Trophy.

"Feedback" on this will be sought from fans, the meeting heard, with CUOSC to help with a members' survey.

The supporters' groups, meanwhile, agreed to spend £500 towards improving disabled facilities - covering of the away disabled section at the Waterworks End, and improving and altering disabled facilities at the front of the Pioneer Stand.

Clibbens, meanwhile, appeared to reject the prospect of the club reintroducing its independent fan representative role, which was scrapped last summer after a single season.

The minutes say: "Nigel said at present he could not see what additional benefit that would now bring given the role of CUOSC and the development of CUSG. If there was new evidence it would bring something extra then it could be looked at."