CUSG Meeting Summary - Remote meeting via Zoom, 21.07.2025 at 19:00
Attendance – John Kukuc (Chair), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Claire Winder (Supporters’ Trust), Samantha Jones (Supporters’ Trust) John Bowman (London Branch), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters’ Club), Nataly Mason, Woman & Girls/Here Game Too, Nigel Clibbens (CUFC)
Apologies – Teresa Mulholland (EDI Rep), Keith Elliott (CUSAT), David Gale (EDI Rep), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporter), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road Enders)
John Kukuc opened the meeting. Claire Winder introduced Samantha Jones as a new member on the Supporters’ Trust board. Simon Clarkson offered to take the minutes.
1. Club update
This had been circulated amongst the group in advance of the meeting and can be viewed HERE.
The following key points were highlighted by Nigel before opening to questions:
A kit re-tendering process was already underway as the current contract expires at the end of this season. Total shirt sales stood at 4500. Claire asked why there were no ladies fit shirts this season and Nigel explained that the club were not confident enough that the fit following the experience in 24/25. Samantha asked if splitting the kit launch across two days had been a success? The club felt this strategy gave many benefits and that feedback from fans was mainly positive but would be formalising the feedback process soon. John suggested that to utilise the space in the east stand for the kit launch may be a better option and Nigel agreed with the idea in principle. This aligned to showcasing the facilities. Claire felt that using fans to wear the kit for the launch was a real positive and Nigel agreed
Three sets of toilets in the west stand are currently being refurbished
The use of the Sheepmount facilities will steadily ramp up as academy teams start to play matches there. For the long-term vision, a pre-application process is underway in consultation with stakeholders and supported by UJP, Burnetts, STRI and consultants Future Spaces
An open training session is being planned
The club did not request an away game for the first game of the season. Simon asked if the Carlisle Weekender was a financial success and if it impacted on hosting a home friendly. Nigel explained that the club forecast that year 1 would be about investment rather than profit and would be a loss leader, but it was necessary to demonstrate that we can run an event of this nature. This credibility now allows us to plan for another post season event in 2026. The pitch would have been ready for the final pre-season Saturday but because the National League starts after the EFL, it was felt that hosting opposition from a lower tier than us would have not been attractive. Andrew supported the lack of local opposition in the friendly schedule as he felt it is more important that games allow the squad to be properly tested
In response to a question from Claire, Nigel confirmed that the ticket exchange scheme will be in operation for season ticket holders this season
A discussion took place on away tickets. The club have contacted all the other teams in the league and asked that they send our away tickets so that priority to season ticket holders can be applied. The reality is that not all clubs will agree to this. Simon asked about DAZN coverage at Brunton Park. The club intend to show as many away games as possible either in the fan zone or bars at the ground. John asked about kick off time alterations for tv coverage. Nigel understands that schedules will be updated around once a month and explained that some midweek games are scheduled for Wednesday to avoid clashing with the traditional EFL midweek fixture list.
2. Constitution Review
The CUSG Constitution was last reviewed in July 2024. The Group agreed to remove some historical information as to when groups joined and left. This would be replaced with an appendix that showed current membership. The updated Constitution can be viewed HERE
3.Equality, Diversity and Disability
EDI report was received and is HERE.
Dave Gale had submitted a report in advance:
I had a query from a season ticket holder regarding the disabled parking issue, and I was able to inform them that some spaces are now available near the club shop. I got them to contact Lucy in the ticket office, and they were able to get one of these spaces for the upcoming season.
Another query was from a supporter who was on occasion wanting to take his elderly father to games who is now a wheelchair user. I just informed him of the areas in the stadium, what’s available and got Lucy to phone them to go through the scenario about tickets.
I would like to express thanks to Lucy who has been very helpful in relation to these queries.
Parking still seems to be an issue that is commented on by supporters. But the club have tried to address this by making some more spaces available near the club shop. This will be on an ongoing issue I would imagine for the time being.
I also have a question, Nigel C mentioned that they were going to sort out the disabled away area and make It more accessible by having some method of getting over the red gravel. I presume this will be done before the start of the season.
Finally, it was good to see the club do an update on improving the toilets in the west stand and congratulate the club and the Community Sports Trust on being awarded the disability confident employer certification.
Keep up the good work.
There were no questions or issues arising
4. Calendar of events and Projects
The following events were added to the calendar:
16 August – In Memoriam
7 September – Baton of Hope
15 November – Remembrance Day event
5. Finance
Balance in bank: £1,979.73, including £280.92 disabled fund
6. SLO update
A warm welcome to Claire Burgess who joins the team as our new away SLO. Claire will continue the excellent work undertaken by her predecessor Keith Elliott who moves in to a supporting role in our matchday information sharing team. This will be a key area this season as we venture into the unknown at new away grounds. We are contacting host clubs to determine if away mascots can be facilitated and will be offering opportunities first to families who missed out last season. The London Branch will once again sponsor a matchday mascot goody bag.
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. The popular Cumberland Building Society sponsored activity sees the team of volunteers provide a mini ground tour and answer questions from young and often first-time visitors.
Following attendance at the Family Excellence Scheme event in Birmingham in May, the meeters and greeters are looking to implement further improvements to the matchday experience based on recommendations that follow independent, unannounced mystery shopper visits.
https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/family-excellence-award-202425
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.
Phase 2 of the Memory Garden is well underway and is set to double the capacity which will allow more space for memorial plaques (contact info@cuosc.org.uk). Local builder and fan James Falder is volunteering his time and is being helped by fans and reps from Cumberland Youth Justice.
In relation to the club heritage and the planned museum at Brunton Park, volunteer fans now regularly host visitors including families of former players at the archives. Visitors are shown items from the club archive, and some are given a tour of Brunton Park. Ground tours are extremely popular with fans, and this is a model that we will look to repeat at a regular frequency going forward.
We 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 the various aspects of this project, please contact archives@carlisleunited.co.uk
7. Group updates
Scottish Supporters
No questions or issues were raised
Supporters’ Trust
July is the month most of our memberships are renewed. Members will have received emails about how to renew.
We have developed an introduction to the Trust. Leaflets with QR codes will be going out to Season Ticket Holders. Thank you to the Club for their support with this. This is a link to it:
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/Ol5Jray8cnQJ2yFz
We held a member meeting on 27/06/2025 in the new hospitality suites in the east stand, it gave people an opportunity to have a tour of the new facilities. There was positive feedback on the facilities and the work that has gone into it, and about being able to meet board members in person in an informal setting.
London Branch
June saw our annual Summer Trip, this time to Bilbao, with 38 members making the trip.
Our AGM was held remotely on 10th July. This saw Andrew Dobinson step down as treasurer and Steve Batey take on this vital role.
Branch membership stands at just under 300 full members, with students, associate members and junior blues taking the total to 385.
Dave Brown reported that in 24/25 the branch provided nearly £4,000 in sponsorship and support to good causes which included £750 sponsorship of Jack Ellis, £500 to the CU Ladies Team £1,000 to Supporters Trust Defibrillator appeal and £625 to the Club Community Sports Trust raised from the sales of 74-75 shirts.
For 25/26 season we are again sponsoring Jack Ellis and have purchased two Paddock season tickets for branch members.
At a match early in the new season we will present James Tose - CEO of the CU Community Sports Trust - with a cheque for the £625 from the sales of the 74-75 t-shirts.
On Thursday 24th July 7.30pm we will hold a Q&A with Tom (and we hope Patty) Piatak for LB members.
The first Hit the Bar! of the season will be published ahead of the Woking match and, as in previous years will feature the entry form for the CUSG Prediction Competition.
Travel
Keith Elliott submitted a note: First of all, glad to see in Simon's update Claire Burgess is the new away slo a good choice. We hope to have a new rep in time for the next meeting all being well, so apologies for the absence again-tonight, prices/plans they will be ready in next couple of days and I'll post them, again in the interim any questions ask me
South Cumbria
- Membership Levels (as of 19th July): 69 Members (with some regulars still to renew).
- First Away Trip: Likely to be 20/09 vs Altrincham.
Warwick Road Enders
Sonny Kirkwood submitted a report: As I’ve previously mentioned, trying to get people involved, ‘active’ and making noise in the WRE is very much dependent on how the team are playing (which is understandable). With a few new signings and a good performance at Fylde, people on social media seem to be in much high spirits.
The previous season we had a lot planned but very little really come to life due to the performances on the pitch. The numbers are always there at Brunton Park and there will be no support like ours in the National League.
What we currently have planned:
- Website coming back to life and selling WRE themed products (t-shirts, scarves, etc) on there to raise money instead of continuously asking for donations, that way people can get something back by helping us.
- Flag displays and continuing our work alongside FlagsforUnited (we have attempted this last season and it shown signs of promise when fans were in high spirits)
- Continued noise for the majority of the games, which we can see happening as well be going for promotion…
- Annual fundraiser for Easter eggs.
- Retain a strong social media presence and voice any opinions when needed to.
If anyone has any questions / suggestions for us in the WRE, feel free to give me an email.
I will be contacting Nigel Clibbens in the next couple of days regarding a Polish Carlisle United fan, who would like to get involved with the WRE and has a few bigger ideas of his own.
AOB
Claire clarified that there will be 5 defibrillators being installed at Brunton Park, hopefully before the start of the season. Simon updated that a replacement for the United sign on the wall opposite the study centre, will be replaced by University of Cumbria students in the autumn term. Nigel agreed that a discussion on banners around the stadium should take place at the next meeting, following proposals from fans that some former players should be displayed.
Date of next meeting 1 September 2025