CUSG meeting at 7pm on Monday 5 January 2026
Attendees: John Kukuc (Chair), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Claire Winder (Supporters’ Trust/ Minutes), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters Club), Claire Burgess (Away Travel & SLO), Dave Gale (Disabled Supporters’ Rep), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporters’ Rep), Dave Brown (London Branch), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road End), Derek Paterson (Heritage Group), Nigel Clibbens (CUFC)
Apologies: Teresa Mulholland (CUFC EDI & Mental Health Officer)
1. Club Updates
Nigel highlighted positives for fan behaviour this season and sends thanks to fans for this. Sanctions and fines have been issued by the FA to other clubs.
Discussion around financial impact of relegations – loss of income from the EFL and cost of outgoings for football department.
Debate and discussion about 3up/3down proposal of the National League. Resolution likely to relate to monetary compensation to clubs throughout the EFL which is not there at present.
The October “Spooktacular” event was successful it was requested for events like this to be held in the future.
Read the full Club Update HERE!
2. Memory Garden
The memory garden has been a tremendous success, with the space being used to host community-based events and an area for quiet reflection by fans. The plaques allow families and friends to have a memorial to loved ones. Phase 2 on the upper level was officially opened before the Eastleigh game and included the unveiling of a new sculpture that was the product of a partnership with the University of Cumbria, who were commissioned to create a design for the centrepiece that was a sculpture that embodies the football club and acts as a commemoration to former players. The approved matched funding proposal by the club to CUSG members yielded the following:
Special thanks to all who donated.
Request for help for transport and lifting equipment for a donated 1950’s turnstile to be installed in the memory garden. It is currently in Longtown. Contact slo@carlisleunited.co.uk if you can help.
3. Hall of Fame
Update provided in the club update. Judging panel has been finalised and details will be shared by the club in due course. The Heritage Group are supporting with player information for the panel.
4. Equality, Diversity and Disabled
Update from Dave Gale:
Most issues raised were from the Gateshead match in relation to additional tickets for carers. Dave liaised with Gateshead and issues were resolved by volunteers dealing with ticket sales.
Nigel C explained CUFC have reiterated to other clubs this season we are in the best position to sell away tickets but this has been declined which has resulted in issues seen with Gateshead due to high demand for tickets.
Claire B shared examples of supporters who used wheelchairs having difficulties at Gateshead.
Dave G liaised with Gateshead to arrange a suitable drop off point for elderly and less mobile supporters too.
West side disabled parking spaces for the Wealdstone match was a problem due to some players parking in the spaces.
Nigel C explained Bill, the steward is tasked with people parking and players have and will be asked to move their car if spaces are unavailable.
5. Calendar of Events and Projects
See EDI report for details HERE!
6. Finance
Balance in bank account is currently £1,596.73 including:
£280.92 from disabled account
£80.50 ringfenced for prediction competition
7. SLO Update:
The SLO team of meeters and greeters at Brunton Park provide 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 Blues Store in the Northern Competitions 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.
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. Dave B shared positive feedback and appreciation received from away mascots.
Harborough Town staff were very helpful when providing matchday information that is published on social media. Staff at the ground made the fans feel welcome. Some issues were raised from the game at Gateshead including poor organisation regarding access to the stadium, safety issues regarding a lack of lighting near steps and unsatisfactory arrangements for disabled fans. All issues have been provided in the feedback.
8. Group Updates:
- Scottish Supporters
Query from a fan who had tried to "bank" his season ticket for the Eastleigh match. They were told they could not do this as it was a special offer game which did not seem fair.
This will be reviewed by Nigel C.
- Supporters’ Trust
Latest newsletter:
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/xQDBNQrULd56oJ2B?ref=Link&loc=play
Rochdale travel available:
https://www.cust.org.uk/product/away-travel-rochdale-07-02-26/
Member queries:
• Is a safe standing area being considered in the East Stand?
No plans - we have extensive terracing available. If demand exceeds this it could be reviewed.
• No communication from the Chairman during recent stay, last fans forum was a year ago.
The timings of the latest visit and arranging a fans forum did not match unfortunately on this occasion. Nigel C will review the communication.
- London Branch
42 members had a great time at the LB Carlisle weekend organised by Terry McCarthy at the Tamworth game – with dinner at Casa Romana, tour of the East Stand and hospitality in the United Lounge. Great to meet Steve Hayward and slightly odd to bump into Michael Knighton.
TV games – organised Three Lanterns Pub in Leicester Square for Blackpool cup game and Morecambe home game. Good to see 25 people at the Blackpool game including several non-members. Next TV games will be back at the Civil Service Club against York City on 21 January and Scunthorpe on 10 February. All welcome, email Dave Brown chairman@cusclb.com for details and to reserve your places.
Celebrated Xmas in the Good Companion pre-Boreham Wood with Santa hats and mince pies only spoiled later by the football and the weather.
Great interview with Paul Huntington by Andy Hall and team - available to all on the London Branch website www.carlislelondonbranch.org
Latest issue 339 of Hit The Bar! fanzine came out in December from Editor John Bowman. This issue and forthcoming issue 340 include obituaries of the eight Carlisle players who passed during 2025. HTB! is available in the Blues Store.
Congratulations to Jon Colman on his 1000th Carlisle game reported on.
- Travel
No update provided for the meeting.
- South Cumbria Supporters Club
Coach travel bookings have now moved from phone contact to TryBooking, a Kendal-based online event ticketing and booking platform. TryBooking are providing free support to us, and this change improves security, administration, and overall efficiency.
We will also be transitioning CUSCSC memberships from Membermojo to TryBooking later this month, creating a single, consistent system for both travel and membership management.
Dean Walling will be attending for the end of season awards - date TBC. Simon C has been asked to host again. Heritage Group will be asked to contribute again.
Travel and events update:
• We took 20 members by coach to Blackpool and Gateshead.
• For the Morecambe game, 15 members attended hospitality with us.
• We are planning on running a 16 or 20-seater coach to Rochdale and Forest Green.
Member query:
- Have we passed the deadline for the Rochdale match to be rescheduled?
Yes, this will not be changed at this stage.
- Warwick Road End
Queries:
- In the summer, would fans be able to use the WRE Fan Zone earlier than 1:30pm with entrance from the west side of the ground, shutters down so people can’t get into the stadium before gates officially open?
Nigel C happy to consider this and if there are additional attractions wanted then these can be considered. Practicalities can be considered.
- Would there be a chance of umbrellas on seating / cover for seating in WRE Fan Zone?
Nigel C will investigate cover options.
Sonny will add post to social media this week about how to improve the WRE Fan Zone to collect more ideas. Lots of people, no noise - would be open to try out in the East Stand.
- Heritage Group
Carlisle United Heritage Group (CUHG) continues to receive donations of photos, programmes and memorabilia. We continue to forge great working partnerships with organisations including the Cumberland Archives, Tullie Museum and the University of Cumbria (UoC), to where we have recently relocated the archive.
Some enquiries culminate with visits to the archive where exchanges take place of photos, stories and souvenirs. Display cabinets are maintained outside the ticket office and at the Brampton Road UoC campus.
We also assist with the upkeep of the Memory Garden which continues to receive positive feedback from visitors. CUHG played a big part in the unveiling of the new Honours Board in the Boardroom. Having undertaken painstaking research to formulate the content, members then also supporting the hosting of the guests on the day.
The highlight of the year was gaining official recognition from Sporting Heritage by winning the Celebrating Community Sporting Heritage Award, at Headingley, Leeds for our exhibition last year at Tullie and our work in the community.
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.
9. AOB and Date of Next Meeting (16 February 2026)
London Branch volunteered to minute next meeting.