MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST CUSG MEETING

Monday 10 August 2026 - 7pm

1. Attendance and Apologies

Present: John Kukuc (Chair), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Suzanne Kidd (CUFC), Claire Winder (CUST), Clare Burgess (Away SLO), John Bowman (London Branch), Andrew George (South Lakes), Derek Paterson (Heritage Group), Kyle Duncan (WRE/Section 4) and Tom Lawrence (CUFC).

Apologies: David Gale (Disabled Rep), Sonny Kirkwood (WRE/Section 4), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporters) and Teresa Mulholland (EDI).

John Kukuc welcomed those present, including Kyle Duncan, who attended on behalf of the WRE Group, and Tom Lawrence, who attended in his new role as Chief Executive Officer.

Tom Lawrence confirmed that his Independent Football Regulator documentation was being finalised and that he had started full-time with the club that day.

2. Club Update

Suzanne Kidd referred to the written club update circulated earlier that day and highlighted the following:

• Kit sales were performing strongly, with more than 4,400 home and away shirts sold. Further home shirt stock had arrived and was being counted and prepared for sale.
• The new shop EPOS and online retail system had launched alongside the new kit. Feedback on the website was welcomed.
• Loyalty points from the previous system were still being worked through, with options being considered to either transfer them to customer accounts or issue them in voucher form.
• The first home fixture had gone well operationally off the pitch, with a strong attendance, busy retail and Fan Zone activity, and positive feedback regarding visiting Worthing supporters.
• The Yeovil Town away fixture would be streamed in the Fan Zone, as the Premier League season had not yet started. The Wealdstone fixture on the Friday before the bank holiday was also planned for Fan Zone screening.
• The In Memoriam fixture would take place on 31 August at the home game against Scunthorpe United. The media team would collate photographs and wording, with the relevant email address included in the club update.
• The Family Fun Day was considered a success, with good attendance and positive feedback. The club hoped it could once again become an annual summer event.

Read the full update HERE

3. Matters Arising from the Club Update

Stadium Perimeter Guidance

Simon Clarkson asked about the club's position regarding the new FA rules relating to concrete pitch perimeter walls.

Suzanne Kidd explained that the guidance had been released late on the evening before the first game of the season. The club needed time to review the rules and compare them with the existing arrangements at Brunton Park. Once this had been completed, including any necessary measurements, the club would be in a better position to determine whether any work was required.

Tom Lawrence added that he believed the stadium would be compliant, as mitigation was required where a wall was less than 2.5 metres from the edge of the pitch, and he believed the walls at Brunton Park were more than 2.5 metres away.

James Trafford Transfer

Simon Clarkson asked whether the club would benefit financially from James Trafford's transfer from Manchester City to Leeds United.

Suzanne Kidd confirmed that Carlisle United no longer held any financial interest in James Trafford following his previous sale back to Manchester City.

Paddock North Toilets

John Kukuc raised concerns that had been brought to him regarding the Paddock North toilets and asked whether there were plans to improve the facilities.

Suzanne Kidd confirmed that the toilets were included on the list of required capital expenditure refurbishments and that the club was working through these projects as resources allowed. The club was also investigating Premier League funding that could potentially be used for projects of this nature.

Media Questions

Claire Winder raised two questions for Tom Little. As he was not present, it was agreed that the questions would be sent by email.

Why are some signing announcements made late in the evening?

The Media Team advised that late evening is one of the more active periods across the club's own social media channels, with internal research showing strong levels of follower activity and engagement.

There are also practical factors that influence the timing of signing announcements, including coordination with other clubs, the risk of information leaking, completion of media and creative work, and a desire to publish as soon as everything is formally ready.

Social media feeds are also no longer primarily chronological, with algorithms placing significant weight on relevance, engagement and content quality. The club's own performance data shows that the reach and engagement of comparable late-evening signing content is not materially different from content published earlier in the day.

What is the best way for supporters to contact the Media Team?

The best route is via media@carlisleunited.co.uk. Supporters can also contact the club on 0330 094 5930.

If a genuine media-related query has not received a response and needs escalating, supporters can email tom.little@carlisleunited.co.uk.

The team receives a very high volume of messages across email and social media, meaning it is not always possible to respond to every enquiry immediately. However, genuine queries will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Matchday Teamsheets

Claire Winder asked about the club no longer producing physical teamsheets on matchdays.

Suzanne Kidd explained that the club was trying to encourage supporters to use the club app for news and updates. Producing teamsheets was no longer considered cost or time-effective during an already busy matchday operation, so team news would instead be made available through the app.

Community Ticket Scheme

Claire Winder asked how schools could register their interest in the Community Ticket Scheme.

Suzanne Kidd advised schools to contact the Ticket Office at ticketoffice@carlisleunited.co.uk.

Brunton Bulletin

Andrew George raised concerns about the Brunton Bulletin email not being sent until Saturday morning with matchday information. He felt it would be more useful if it was distributed earlier, allowing supporters more time to plan their travel and matchday arrangements.

Those present agreed that earlier distribution would be preferable.

Action: Suzanne Kidd and Tom Lawrence to take the feedback back to the club.

Retro Shirt Day

The suggestion of holding a Retro Shirt Day was raised, with CUSG agreeing to work together to arrange the initiative.

Post-meeting update: Retro Shirt Day has now been agreed for the Southend United fixture on 12 September 2026.

4. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Update

The Carlisle United EDI team is beginning its third season of planning and supporting EDI initiatives within the club and wider community.

A video has been produced showcasing some of the events and campaigns organised during the previous season, including:

• Local dance school showcases
• Baton of Hope event at Brunton Park
• Men's Mental Health Awareness Tournament
• Silent Footprints Baby Loss Awareness campaign
• Remembrance Fixture
• Deaf awareness training, Guide Dogs and blindness awareness campaigns
• Foodbank and homelessness collections
• Autism awareness and sensory bags
• Wellbeing event
• Unite 4 Access
• Level Playing Field Disabled Access campaign
• Her Game Too and International Women's Day
• Mental health campaigns
• Hospice at Home support
• Various charity bucket collections and information campaigns

Upcoming Campaigns

Saturday 8 August - CUFC v Worthing

• National Wellness Month
• Face painting
• Promotion of CST's wellness and wellbeing provision
• Andy Steel, CUFC CST Veteran, promoting the Resilience Gathering event

Saturday 22 August - CUFC v Hornchurch

• Back to School community support
• Carlisle Matters in the Fan Zone providing free school uniforms, stationery sets and other items for those requiring support
• Face painting

Monday 31 August - CUFC v Scunthorpe United

• Foodbank collection in the Fan Zone ahead of National Food Bank Awareness Day on 4 September

Saturday 12 September - CUFC v Southend United

• Together Against Suicide
• Every Life Matters
• Samaritans
• Andy's Man Club

The organisations involved on 12 September will be present in the Fan Zone to offer support and information to supporters. Players will also wear a mixture of the organisations' shirts during the warm-up to showcase their support.

5. Disability Update

Parking Changes and £200 Charge

The most significant issue during the reporting period was the change to parking arrangements, particularly on the west side of the stadium, and the introduction of a £200 charge.

Historically, disabled supporters had paid between £50 and £75, while no charge had been applied during the previous two seasons.

Some supporters had previously been moved from the East Stand to the west side to avoid conflict with corporate guests. This season, corporate guests will use the new parking area behind the verge, doubling the available space for blue badge holders and reducing previous tensions.

Only wheelchair season ticket holders have been allocated west side spaces. It was noted that many blue badge holders were unaware that they could still park along the road behind the East Stand, except when large numbers of away coaches were present. For ambulant supporters in the East Stand, this remains the shortest walking route.

Further clarity was requested on how the £200 figure had been determined, with several supporters having experienced stress and frustration over the change.

Volunteer Assistance Proposal

A proposal was raised to explore volunteer support for disabled supporters, either by assisting people in wheelchairs or through the use of a small buggy to help supporters move between stands.

The club had expressed reservations due to potential liability issues, although it was felt that the idea could be revisited in the future.

Temporary Wheelchair Use and £3 Surcharge

Julie Hale had made contact regarding her father, a season ticket holder recovering from major surgery, who had been informed that there would be a £3 surcharge to temporarily move to a wheelchair space.

Given the circumstances and his status as a season ticket holder, concerns were raised over whether the charge was appropriate, and the club's view was requested.

Wheelchair User Stadium Visit

John Notman of the Heritage Group raised a query on behalf of a wheelchair user who wanted to visit Brunton Park to identify an appropriate viewing area.

Lucy in the Ticket Office arranged contact. Although only East Stand spaces remained available, it was hoped that the matter had been resolved and that the supporter would now be able to begin attending matches.

Stadium Walkaround

A stadium accessibility walkaround took place with Suzanne Kidd ahead of the new season.

Parking: The £200 charge was explained as resulting from East Stand parking now being fully available to blue badge holders, with the previous season's west side allocation having been temporary. Most west side spaces are not disability-specific and the club therefore opted to treat them as premium spaces. Concerns remain regarding the level of the charge and the impact on some supporters.

East Stand facilities: Generally considered good. The addition of hooks and mirrors in the disabled toilets was recommended. Cleaning work was underway and the area was in reasonable condition, although the hoardings may still obscure the view for some supporters.

Family Zone: Freshly painted and decorated, with a new carpet planned to replace the previous carpet, which was approximately 10 years old.

Away Area: Offers a good view, although the gravel and access may require resurfacing. The area was considered adequate for the current season.

Warwick Road End: The lip between the stand and disabled toilet area remains but is planned for repair. Railings that obstruct views will gradually be replaced with clear Perspex to improve visibility and safety.

Waterworks End: Potholes have now been filled.

Club Shop Ramp: Concerns were raised regarding the slippery and mossy ramp behind the shop. It was suggested that a cover could help reduce the risk of accidents. The shop itself was considered spacious and accessible, with positive feedback given regarding the helpfulness of staff.

Overall, the stadium visit was considered productive, with the Disability Representative feeling that concerns had been listened to. A pass will be provided for the season, allowing accessibility across the stadium to be monitored on matchdays and ongoing feedback to be provided.

6. Calendar of Events and Projects

7. Finance

8. SLO Update

Away from home, Claire Burgess continues to provide support to travelling supporters, including detailed pre-match information, visibility at stadiums, liaison with host clubs and acting as family liaison for the away mascot scheme.

Claire is looking forward to working with the London Branch again on away mascots this season and helping young supporters enjoy their matchday experience.

This season, supporter information for away fixtures will be provided through Microsoft Sway. This was trialled during the pre-season fixtures at Workington and Darlington and received positive feedback.

Claire will contact clubs throughout the season to establish whether grounds will be segregated and identify arrangements for supporters who are unable to stand.

Keith Elliott continues to provide support with social media.

The group welcomed the news that Alf Harrington had returned home and hoped to see him back at Brunton Park soon.

The SLO team of meeters and greeters at Brunton Park will continue this season, providing support to enhance the matchday experience for supporters, including visiting community groups in A Stand.

The Cumberland Building Society-sponsored initiative sees volunteers provide young visitors with a mini ground tour and answer their questions.

Additional meeters and greeters are always welcomed. Volunteers receive a complimentary match ticket as a thank-you for their assistance.

9. Supporter Group Updates - Heritage Group

The Carlisle United Heritage Group continues to develop its working partnership with the University of Cumbria, where the archive is based.

The group maintains display cabinets outside the Ticket Office and at the University's Brampton Road campus, with ambitions to install further display cabinets at Brunton Park and other locations across Carlisle.

Displays are rotated regularly to showcase the extensive collection. Recent displays have included a commemoration of former player Bob Harrison and a visit from the family of former player Russell Coughlin.

The group continues to receive requests for information from members of the public and regularly provides photographs using memory sticks donated by the London Branch.

The Heritage Group attended the Family Fun Day at Brunton Park, showcasing archive material and running a lucky dip competition. Among the visitors was a former Carlisle United player from the early 1960s, who was shown a team photograph featuring himself within minutes of visiting the display.

The group will contribute to United in Memories sessions going forward and will have a page in the matchday programme this season featuring former players.

Upcoming events supported by the group include:

• Reeves and Wadsworth at Harraby Catholic Club - 26 September
• Walling and Bridges at the Box Arena - 13 November

A Heritage Group website is being developed, while its Facebook page now has almost 1,000 followers.

Archiving work, including sorting and cataloguing, is well underway at both Brunton Park and the archive. The group thanked supporters who have assisted, particularly Geoff Jackson with programmes, James Stringer with shirts and John Bowman with fanzines.

Donations to the archive remain welcome. Anyone wishing to donate items, request information or assist with the project can contact archives@carlisleunited.co.uk.

10. Supporters' Trust

The Supporters' Trust is currently in its busiest period of the year for membership renewals and is following up with those who have not renewed to better understand what members expect from their membership.

The Trust reported a successful Family Fun Day, praising the organisation of the event and the interaction between players and attending families.

A foot-dart competition was held, with the highest scorers in the over-16 and under-16 categories each winning a £50 Blues Store voucher.

Junior competition winners for May, June, July and August were Shauna Beeby, William Peto, Ellis Graves and Teigan-Isobel Thornley. Each winner receives a new home or away shirt, with the option to have it signed by the squad.

The World Cup Last Man Standing competition was won by John Priddle, who received United Lounge hospitality for two people and a club shirt.

The Honorary Squad Member competition was won by Michael Bowman, who donated the prize to his son, Will. The prize includes a personalised Carlisle United shirt, a biography on the club website, inclusion on the squad page in the matchday programme and a photo opportunity with the Carlisle United squad.

The August United Lounge hospitality winners are Jim Wallace, Mike Goodman and James Tweddell, each of whom can bring a guest.

The latest set of 12 memory plaques was added to the Memorial Garden, with those involved informed and sent photographs to help locate their plaques when visiting.

11. London Branch Supporters Club

The annual London Branch summer weekend was a success, with 36 travellers visiting Copenhagen in June. HTB 343 includes a full report and photographs from the trip.

The Branch AGM was held online on 23 July, with the committee for 2026/27 elected and the annual accounts approved.

Paul Robson has taken over as Membership Secretary from Peter Smithson, who was thanked for his many years in the role.

Membership fees remain frozen at:

• £20 for full members
• £10 for students
• £3 for those aged 17 and under

The 2026/27 fixture list has provided several early opportunities for members to meet in the south, including Yeovil, Wealdstone, Boreham Wood and Eastleigh.

Work is underway to identify meeting pubs and provide members with ticket information.

Away SLO Claire Burgess has been made an honorary Branch member, allowing her to receive the ticket and travel information distributed to members. Claire and Branch Away Mascot and Social Media Coordinator Anna Jensen are working together to share away match information and coordinate away mascots.

A5 flyers have also been produced for the First Time Visitor and Away Mascot packs sponsored by the Branch. These welcome young supporters and explain the work of the London Branch.

At its July committee meeting, the Branch agreed a package of sponsorship and funding for the 2026/27 season worth £8,200, including:

• £2,000 for the Carlisle United Community Sports Trust schools and SEND programme
• £1,750 to the CUFC Academy for cold-weather jackets for age groups 9-16
• £150 for the Branch logo to feature on Branch-sponsored Jack Ellis' stadium banner
• £300 to the Heritage Group for USB memory sticks
• £4,000 ringfenced for a one-year sponsorship of the Carlisle Ladies Team, supporting areas such as updated training kit

In late July, Carlisle-based Branch members worked alongside Simon Clarkson and the Ticket Office to pack and distribute 2026/27 season tickets.

The Boston fixture on 14 November has been identified for the annual London Weekend in Carlisle, with plans for more than 30 members to attend the 74/75 Lounge.

12. South Lakes Supporters Club

Carlisle United South Cumbria Supporters Club (CUSCSC) held its AGM during the reporting period and elected a refreshed committee.

Members discussed membership, travel and potential social events for the coming season.

A number of questions were also raised for consideration through CUSG, covering communication from Carlisle United, CUTV, the Hall of Fame, supporter engagement, matchday changes and retail opportunities.

AGM and Committee

The following appointments were confirmed:

• David Lawson – Chairperson: A lifelong Carlisle United supporter who brings a calm and methodical approach to CUSCSC.
• Sara Metcalf – Vice Chairperson: A Carlisle United season ticket holder who previously worked behind the bar at Brunton Park and has served on the CUSCSC committee in a non-officer role for the past three seasons.
• Robert Preece - Treasurer
• Steve Graham - Secretary
• Andrew George - Social Media Officer, CUSG Representative and Away Travel/Events Organiser
• Tony Carlos - Committee Member, assisting with events and travel
• Francis Perruzza - Travel Organiser/Driver and Community Officer
• Mark McKee – Committee Member

Membership and Travel

Membership for the 2026/27 season has been launched, with memberships and travel bookings now managed through TryBooking.

CUSCSC continues to develop travel opportunities for supporters in South Cumbria, including working with the Supporters' Trust on Junction 36 pick-ups where practical.

The committee is also considering transport from Kendal for selected Carlisle United home fixtures, particularly where later kick-off times make travelling by public transport difficult.

Future Events

Possible activities suggested for the coming season include:

• Hospitality at Brunton Park
• Sponsorship of a Carlisle United player
• A Christmas meal
• Further former-player evenings

These remain suggestions and have not yet been confirmed.

Supporter Engagement

A number of Carlisle United-related topics were discussed at the AGM. Members were invited to submit questions through CUSCSC for consideration by CUSG.

13. Chief Executive Officer Update

Following the supporter group updates, Tom Lawrence introduced himself and outlined his immediate areas of focus at the club.

Claire Winder asked what had stood out to him during his first few weeks.

Tom said he had found the matchday operation to be smooth and well run. He had been getting to know staff across the club and undertaking one-to-one meetings.

His current areas of focus include:

• Reviewing the club's commercial inventory and identifying potential opportunities
• Developing non-matchday hospitality
• Developing a fan engagement strategy
• Creating a fan engagement calendar
• Developing a media and communications strategy to bring the club's activity together

Longer term, Tom is working on a 2031 Strategy based around four key pillars:

1. Business
2. Football
3. Community
4. Fans

Simon Clarkson asked for an update regarding the Sheepmount.

Tom Lawrence advised that he had not yet looked into the matter in detail but confirmed that it was on his agenda.

14. Any Other Business

Claire Winder reiterated how successful the Family Fun Day had been and expressed the hope that it would become a permanent fixture in the club's summer calendar.

Claire also asked whether special offers could be introduced for non-alcoholic drinks in the Fan Zone.

Suzanne Kidd agreed to take the suggestion back to JWC.

15. Date of Next Meeting

The next CUSG meeting will take place on Monday 21 September 2026.