United’s director of football David Holdsworth confirmed today that United remain in a ‘good place’ as fans wait for news of new arrivals ahead of the club’s full return to pre-season training.
“The last time we spoke I said that we’ve being doing a lot of work in the background,” he told us. “The manager has identified clear targets and, with the confirmation of the transfer window dates, we’ve been able to take that a few steps further in terms of starting to bring together the squad of players he wants for next season.
“Other clubs have made announcements, and that’s fine, each club is different, but we’ve said all along that we try to do things in a way that’s best for Carlisle United.
“With the complications of the lockdown, and furlough, we’ve made the decision that even if we get to the stage where we have pre-contract agreements, or where players are ready to sign with contracts agreed, we won’t take that next step of making official announcements until everything is in place, including the transfer window opening on 27 July.
“I know that causes frustration for some supporters who are quite understandably desperate for news, but we don’t ever react to what other clubs are doing. We must think of Carlisle United first, and that’s why I know the fans will be patient, knowing that we have some good bits of business already at the point of completion.”
“It’s been great working with Chris on this, and he’s completely on board with how we’re going about things,” he confirmed. “He is very focused on the type of player he wants to recruit, and I think the fans will be excited by the squad as it starts to fall into place.
“It’s just that last little bit of patience we ask for as we make sure we’ve got everything finalised and then, probably towards the end of next week, things will start to materialise.”
And on the offers made to Jack Bridge, Gethin Jones and Byron Webster, he commented: “All three lads have decided their futures are elsewhere.
“That’s fine, we’re comfortable with that. We made our offers because the manager wanted to keep them here for next season, but you always accept that a player may choose to take a different route.
“There are never any bad feelings when that becomes the case and we wish them all the very best with whatever they go on to do next.”
