CUSG meeting at 7pm on Monday 30 March 2026
Attendees: Simon Clarkson (SLO), Claire Winder (Supporters’ Trust), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters Club), Claire Burgess (Away Travel & SLO), John Bowman (London Branch/Minutes), Suzanne Kidd (CUFC), Dave Gale (Disabled Supporters’ Rep), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporters’ rep), Matt Spooner (Supporters Trust), Tom Little (CUFC)
Apologies: John Kukuc (Chair), Derek Paterson (Heritage Group) Teresa Mulholland (CUFC EDI & Mental Health Officer), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road End),
In the absence of John Kukuc, Simon Clarkson chaired the meeting.
1. Club Updates
To read the club update, click HERE!
SK reported that the club accounts for the year to June 2025 had just been published (on 30/3/26) on the Companies House website. The Raise the Roof initiative was a great success (see Item 3). Planning for the play-off matches has started.
SK noted KW’s suggestion that the Away Fans entrance signs on the East Stand turnstiles are covered for matches when away fans are not accommodated in that stand.
AG asked:
1. Injured Fan at Tamworth
• How is the supporter who collapsed at Tamworth?
• Has the club been in contact with the family?
SK explained that from the outset the family had asked the club for minimum publicity and this has been respected. CUFC players and coaches have sent messages to the family, as have Tamworth FC.
CUSG expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation of all CB’s actions that day noting particularly that she had decided to stay in Birmingham that night to support the family rather than travel back to Carlisle.
2. Manager Interviews / 3. Mark Hughes – long form feature
• Is it possible for these (pre-match) to feel more like genuine conversations?
• Is there potential for a sitdown, longform interview with Mark Hughes covering his career, personal story, and his life in Carlisle?
In response to 2 and 3, TL outlined the limitations on the information any coach would convey regarding plans for a forthcoming match. The recent survey (see Item 2) has generated ideas for different engagements with coaches and players which may address this.
4. Kit Manufacturer
• Who is the new kit supplier? Answered with previous information from the February CUSG minutes, which can be viewed HERE.
5. Dugouts
• Are new dugouts still scheduled for installation this summer, or has this been paused?
SK stated that this work is not currently scheduled.
6. Floodlights
• Are there plans to improve the floodlighting, given ongoing difficulty seeing players on the far side during night matches, from all sides I believe?
SK stated that current plans are to make upgrades in Summer 2027.
7. CEO
• What is the roadmap and timing to appointing a new CEO?
SK stated that this action lies with the ownership.
KW asked about the current work of Martin Foyle and Paul Hart
SK explained that MF is in Carlisle every week and very active watching live matches to scout future players. PH continues to work with the Board and owners.
2. Fan Engagement – New Initiatives
TL reported that the recent survey had been completed by over 800 fans. Immediate actions arising from the survey are:-
• CUFC will issue a monthly update from the owners/leadership team
• A Fans Forum will be held in April (date TBC)
TL outlined some of the messages that he has taken from the survey:
• Fans interested in smaller/specialist forums, e.g.to deal with issues experienced by specific fan groups
• Need to better explain and share the collective work of CUSG with all fans
• While the survey responses are broadly reflective of the fanbase, TL plans to convene forums for specific age or interest groups. This may be linked to CUFC activity in schools across Cumbria
• Hold a ‘Start of the Season’ meeting/event for fans each year
In response:
CW suggested that we start a 'you said, we did' list of initiatives taken in response to the survey so that CUSG can monitor progress and impact at each meeting.
SC suggested that as part of CUSG, we list the initiatives, such as the Memory Garden which have been initiated or developed by CUSG.
Various members suggested that the tickets for schools initiative should continue and expand across Cumbria and alongside this CUFC should look to partner with bus/coach operators to increase the availability of low-cost travel to Brunton Park.
3. Raise the Roof Debrief
SK reported that the day saw record takings in the club shop and in the catering facilities at Brunton Park.
4. Equality, Diversity and Disabled
To read the EDI report, click HERE!
• Level Playing Field Unite for Access – me and my EDI colleague David Little were giving out badges and talking to supporters. Only issue was we were given green level playing field scarfs and Yeovil were our opposition, so we attracted a lot of visiting fans. This was productive though and we got to speak to numerous supporters and discuss what LPF is all about.
• There was some confusion recently about leaving the disabled car park at the East Stand. A steward had guided cars out towards Stonyholme instead of the usual Warwick Road. This appears to have been a one off and hasn’t been raised again as an issue.
• There was a query from a supporter regarding attending a game with a mobility scooter and where to store it at the west side of the stadium. They were getting tickets to sit in the World Group Stand and wanted somewhere to store their scooter. I suggested they should contact the club. I did mention it would be safe to leave at the entrance if it doesn’t block off any exits. But I thought it was better they speak to the ticket office for advice.
• Another query was a request to get a parking space near the club shop area as they needed extra space for getting their wheelchair out the car. Lucy in the ticket office is contacting them as there was one space available. This should be sorted before the next home game.
• I was mortified to hear of the incident at the Tamworth game and the length of time an ambulance took to come. So, I raised my concerns with the National League, but it appears they were doing things by the rules, and no ambulance is required for attendances below 2,000. I hope this is something they can think about changing in the future.
• I have since complained to the National League due to no segregation between fans in the seating area. They are going to contact Tamworth so we will see what happens.
5. Calendar of Events and Projects
No new items added
6. Finance + CUHG funding
Balance in Bank: £1941.24
Ringfenced Funds
Disabled Account £705.93
LB Prediction Competition £80.50
Heritage Group Funding £344.51
7. SLO Update
Home
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 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.
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.
CB reported that following the Tamworth away match, she confirmed that an ambulance is not required to attend stadia where a crowd of less than 2,000 is in attendance. She is now requesting the details of paramedic and club doctor arrangements ahead of our away matches. SK confirmed that each match at Brunton Park has an ambulance in attendance, 2 paramedics and a doctor.
MS suggested that CUFC provide a portable defibrillator (and training for an operator) to be taken to our away matches. MS and CB to investigate and report to next meeting
Away
Claire Burgess, the away SLO, provides tremendous support on away matchdays to our fans, ranging from excellent quality pre-match information to stadium visibility and liaison with our hosts. Claire provides the following report:
At Aldershot Town concerns were escalated regarding the access route to the ground where it was poorly lit and a difficult surface. One of our fans took a fall and injured a knee.
Following the Tamworth incident that resulted in a serious injury, I liaised with Dave Gale who raised concerns about the lack of segregation in the stand and ambulance provision at the ground. Credit goes to both the club physios and Tamworth staff for the care and consideration they showed to family and close friends during the initial treatment.
As this will be our last meeting this season, I would like to pass my thanks onto Simon for organising the mascots for the away games and goody bags - sponsored by the London Branch, also to the staff at the club shop.
They have gone down fantastically and the mascots love them. Many thanks to Anna from London Branch who throughout the season has managed the administration. Also, many thanks to the parents of the mascot and the mascots themselves who enjoyed their special days with Carlisle United.
It has been a pleasure to have met so many families and the young supporters this season.
8. Group Updates:
Heritage Group
The Carlisle United Heritage Group (CUHG) were delighted to accept £500 donations from both the London Branch and Supporters’ Trust (CUST), which has enabled us to increase our ability to provide the best showcase for our content going forward. A great example of this was the pop-up exhibition at the University of Cumbria Brampton Road campus, where the archive is held. Many visitors also benefited from a tour of the archive. We continue to receive donations of photos, programmes, and memorabilia.
We have forged great working partnerships with local organisations including Tullie from whom we have benefited from a donation of display cabinets. We already maintain display cabinets outside the ticket office and at the Brampton Road UoC campus. In the close season, we will look to install some of these display cabinets at Brunton Park.
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, need any information held or can help with any aspect of this project, please contact archives@carlisleunited.co.uk
Warwick Road End
We are working together with Matt Spooner and Dan MacLennan to trial a move to the East Stand. We plan on doing this for Brackley at home on the final day of the season.
The concept is to create a more vocal, singing section closer to the Waterworks. The goal is to help bring more energy into the ground, improve the overall atmosphere, and hopefully create something we can build on if we end up with a home play-off match and in to next season.
The club have agreed to support with drums, flags, and any other practical bits to get it off the ground. It needs to be fan-driven to get best buy-in.
What Matt thinks we need to start (and we agree) with is:
- Four people identified as 'front men' that will ideally box off the drums and help generate the first lines of atmosphere (start chants). These need to be energetic but also mature and recognise what is/isn't over the line.
- Bank of chants that are a mix of old stuff, current stuff and trying some new stuff out.
- Min of 40-50 others that buy in early - club will help PR this and seek people out once we're off the ground.
- A catchy name/tag line (we have identified a few however we may put it to a vote on social media).
We are coming up with lots of ideas, and we are hopeful we can make this work into next season.
Sonny K, MS, and Dan MacLennan will develop this idea and report to a future CUSG meeting. In discussion, CUSG members supported the principle of providing a location which will maximise our vocal support but identified issues regarding east stand season ticket holders and stewarding.
Scottish Supporters
No new issues to report or raise.
Supporters’ Trust
We had several people contact us regarding the memorial garden plaques following the recent turnstile installation. It's been agreed we'll be updated on installations, so plaques aren't covered by them. The plaques affected will be moved by us as soon as possible.
The Trust donated £400 for the Raise the Roof match.
Hospitality draws continue to be well received; all winners have been confirmed for the rest of the season.
London Branch
Following our recent donation of £500 to the Heritage Group as agreed at the last CUSG meeting, we spent a further £400 to buy 50 tickets for the Southend Raise the Roof game. Simon Clarkson organised for Carlisle players Elliot Embleton and Josh Williams and ex-players George McVitie, Bobby Parker, and Peter McLachlan to visit the public open day of the Heritage Group at Cumbria University, where branch members Dave Croxford and Paul Watson handed out the tickets to students and staff at the University.
We are encouraging members to support the fans who will ride the 500 miles from Carlisle to Truro from the 11th to 18th April in aid of MND and Cancer Research.
This year we will be returning to the Houses of Parliament for our AGM on Thursday 25 June at 6.30pm. Thanks are due to Carlisle MP Julie Minns and her researcher Maisie. Julie and Maisie have also offered to take members on a tour of Westminster Palace prior to the meeting.
We continue to organise and promote get-together’s to watch United’s televised games in London pubs and at the Civil Service Club, inviting members and non-members to attend.
Issue 341 of Hit The Bar! fanzine was published in print and online. Copies of HTB! are available in the Blues Store
South Cumbria Supporters Club
• Coach Travel:
No official coach travel operated in March, although a number of members travelled together by train to Tamworth.
• New Supporters Club Flag:
We have purchased a new Supporters Club flag, created in line with the club’s branding guidelines (colours, text, and badge). Thanks to Tom Little for his help
• EndofSeason Social:
No updates at this time. We are awaiting further information before confirming any plans.
9. AOB and Date of Next Meeting (TBA - either 11 or 18 May 2026)
1. Nigel Clibbens. CUSG members placed on record their thanks to Nigel for his support for the creation and work of CUSG and his service to CUFC.
2. CUSG Minutes. Agreed that a rota be set for minute taking, so that the task is shared equally across the constituent organisations. JK to arrange.