CUSG meeting at 7pm on Monday 16 February 2026
Attendees: Simon Clarkson (SLO), Claire Winder CUST (Supporters’ Trust), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters Club), Claire Burgess (Away Travel & SLO), John Bowman CUSCLB (London Branch/Minutes), Derek Paterson CUHG (Heritage Group), Suzanne Kidd (CUFC)
Apologies: John Kukuc (Chair), Dave Gale (Disabled Supporters’ Rep), Teresa Mulholland (CUFC EDI & Mental Health Officer), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road End), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporters’ rep)
In the absence of John Kukuc, Simon Clarkson chaired the meeting.
1. Club Updates
To read the club update, click HERE!
Carlisle United are conducting a survey on fan engagement as a first step in developing an action plan for consideration by the club management team. SK asked CUSG to encourage their members to complete the survey and all agreed to do this ASAP.
SK/SC to get survey link QR codes printed and placed in the Fan Zone for the Yeovil match. CW and others gave positive feedback on the most recent Tom Piatak and Charlie Wyke videos and recent matchday social media from CUFC.
CW asked for a clear statement from Carlisle United as to whether a Fans' Forum will happen this season. SK indicated that the survey results will guide thinking on Forums and other means of direct engagement with fans.
AG asked:
1. Are there any updates regarding the kit supplier for the 2026/27 season?
SK said that an announcement regarding the 2026/27 kit supplier will be made shortly in line with contractual agreements
2. Members have noted that Barrow AFC have increased their presence in Kendal, offering ticket initiatives similar to community ticket schemes. Given that Carlisle United remains the dominant supported club locally, could we explore:
• Increased ticket initiatives for local schools or grassroots teams?
• Reintroducing soccer schools or similar community engagement activity in the South Cumbria area
SK committed to ensure match tickets are offered to Kendal/South Lakes schools and to talk to James Tose regarding planned soccer school in that area.
2. Hall of Fame
To read in the club update, click HERE!
3. Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and Disabled
To read the EDI update, click HERE!
4. Calendar of events and Projects
Discussions took place on the Raise the Roof game v Southend on 7 March (5:30pm kick-off), when there is a ticket promotion and a whole host of additional offerings.
5. Finance + CUHG funding
The current balance is £1596.73.
To read the finance report, click HERE!
SC had circulated a request for contingency funding from CUHG. The National Lottery project that helped to establish the Heritage Group has concluded. Significant funding provided items to allow for digitisation such as laptops, scanner, hard drives, etc. Until the archive is fully understood and duplicates can be sold to generate income, there is no funding provision for day-to-day costs.
The Heritage Group were therefore seeking financial support from fans groups to provide a contingency fund to cover:
• purchases of items missing from the CUFC archive e.g., shirts and programmes
• stationery supplies such as packaging material
• transport costs for the movement of donated display cabinets
• provision of a small gift for visitors including former players
CUST and CUSCLB agreed to each provide £500 for this purpose. SC noted that CUHG aspire and are working towards being self-financing through events and sales of duplicate material from the archive.
DG had submitted a suggestion that CUHG investigate the production of football trading cards as a revenue stream. DP/SC will take that to the group.
6. SLO update
Home
The SLO team of meeters and greeters at Brunton Park provides a key supporting role to enhance the matchday experience for fans, including our visiting community groups in A Stand. The popular Cumberland Building Society sponsored activity sees the team of volunteers provide a mini ground tour and answer questions from young visitors.
We are always on the lookout for more meeters and greeters, so please get in touch if you would like to join the team. As a thank you for helping you will receive a complimentary match ticket.
The first-time visitor (FTV) scheme is now embedded and utilises pre-match ticket sales as well as on the day direct engagement from the meeters and greeters to identify fans making their debut at Brunton Park. At the pop-up shop in the Fan Zone, we then help with the writing of the certificate that is given to the first-time visitor as part of a goody bag.
SK reported that CUFC will sell our allocated tickets for the final away match at Truro. This will enable priority allocations to be made.
Away
Claire Burgess, the away SLO, provides tremendous support on away matchdays for our mascots, who are always delighted when walking out with their favourite player. They meet Claire at the stadium and are handed a goody bag provided by the London Branch. Solihull Moors excelled by inviting the away mascot and family to their 3g pitch with a good variety of activities on offer.
Unfortunately, the coach parking options were completely unsatisfactory. Supporters with mobility issues were struggling to walk back to the coach and the lack of lighting was dangerous. Thanks to Dave Gale for following these issues up.
At Rochdale, there was confusion as to whether our fans were allowed to use the bar at the stadium but fortunately common sense prevailed after some diplomacy. The ticket collection point was not easy to find but I guided fans. Compared to the EFL where SLO’s are proactive in sharing information, the National League is more challenging, so there is no doubt that having an away SLO at games pays dividends.
7. Group updates:
Heritage Group
Carlisle United Heritage Group (CUHG) continues to receive donations of photos, programmes and memorabilia. We have forged great working partnerships with local organisations including the Tullie Museum and the University of Cumbria (UoC), where the archive is based.
Some enquiries culminate with visits to the archive from ex-players or family members, where exchanges take place of photos, stories and souvenirs. John Hopper, father of Tony was a recent visitor. Display cabinets are maintained outside the ticket office and at the Brampton Road UoC campus. This week, thanks to a very generous donation from Tullie, we will take receipt of some display cabinets that will be used at Brunton Park.
We also assist with the upkeep of the Memory Garden which continues to receive positive feedback from visitors. The next addition will be a turnstile on long term loan from Mountelm, that came from the former Scratching Shed. The turnstile is being restored by local business PMS Fabrications and should be installed later this month.
We are delighted to accept £500 donations from both the London Branch and Supporters’ Trust (CUST), which will enable us to increase our ability to provide the best showcase for our content going forward.
We are grateful to have received a huge amount of donations, but items can still be donated for the archive. If you would like to donate any items or help with any aspect of this project, please contact: archives@carlisleunited.co.uk
WRE
No new issues to report or raise. Sonny acknowledged the positive addition of a shelter in the WRE Fan Zone.
Scottish Supporters
No new issues to report or raise.
Supporters’ Trust
Read the latest Trust newsletter HERE!
Travel is available for Halifax and Hartlepool HERE!
The Trust has committed to donate £500 to the Heritage Group to support running costs and expansion to the collections.
Member feedback
Mike T has for several months raised the lack of a Fans' Forum, he has spoken about the owners’ commitment for communication as something that was sold to fans, and he believes this is not the case. He believes the previous responses in CUSG about a Fans' Forum are just excuses and wants to know when one will happen, not why one is not happening. This mirrors other views that have been raised through the Leadership Group by Matt Spooner.
London Branch
We continue to help members by sharing details of the arrangements for away match tickets and supplying tickets through the Carlisle United ticket office where this is possible. This is backed up by identifying suitable pubs to enable members to get together pre-match. We share details of these on our various social media channels and many travelers from Carlisle and elsewhere join us pre match.
We have organised and promoted TV Games in London pubs and at the Civil Service Club, inviting members and non-members to see games that strange kick-off times and limited public transport preclude in-person attendance. All are welcome; email Dave Brown chairman@cusclb.com for details and to reserve your places.
Issue 340 of Hit The Bar! fanzine was published in print and online last week in time for the FGR match. HTB! is available in the Blues Store.
South Cumbria Supporters Club
Travel update:
• We ran a coach to Rochdale.
• We organised a two-car share to Forest Green Rovers.
• The next likely CUSCSC coach trip will be to Morecambe.
Thank you to everyone who continues to travel and represent the club home and away.
Member feedback:
Members have commented positively on the recent media content, in particular the Charlie Wyke and Tom Piatak videos, which were very well received. Credit to the media department for engaging content that supporters appreciate.