CUOSC board member Nigel Davidson has admitted that they do have “sympathy” with Blackpool supporters – despite Carlisle United looking likely to sell out their away allocation before Saturday’s trip to Bloomfield Road, while the Seasiders supporters continue to protest.

Last month, the Blackpool Supporters Trust asked United fans to join them in an “ethical boycott against the club’s owners” for the match as the Tangerines’ fans continue to protest against the Oyston family.

But instead, the Blues are on the brink of selling out their away allocation with over 2,500 tickets sold and only a handful more tickets remaining.

Davidson said: “Obviously, we have sympathy with the supporters at Blackpool.

“We understand the situation as it is very similar to our own position during the time when Michael Knighton owned Carlisle United.”

For the loyal United away contingent, who have already been to Portsmouth, Derby, Barnet and Oldham this season, it will be a much shorter 200-mile round trip this weekend to Lancashire.

“Carlisle supporters are a superb group and it is a really tough call to ask them not to support their team, particularly away from home, where we always get such a great following and even more so when that away game is relatively close to home,” he added.

“Away games close to Carlisle are currently a rarity.”

Meanwhile, CUOSC have also been continuing to look at finding an answer regarding the EFL Trophy and the English Football League’s Whole Game Solution.

Davidson said: “However, regarding boycotts of games, we have been looking at the situation as a whole and working with Supporters Direct along with a number of other supporters trusts to come up with an answer regarding the EFL Trophy and the Whole Game Solution, which directly affects Carlisle United Football Club.

“We will be attending a meeting in Manchester with Supporters Direct regarding this shortly.”

Davidson also reiterated that CUOSC have made it clear to Carlisle United they don’t support the controversial EFL Trophy.