CUSG meeting at 7pm on Monday 18 May 2026
Attendees: Simon Clarkson (SLO), Samantha Jones (Supporters’ Trust), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters Club), Claire Burgess (Away Travel & SLO), JohnBowman (London Branch), Suzanne Kidd (CUFC), Dave Gale (Disabled Supporters’ Rep), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporters’ rep), Tom Little (CUFC) and Rebecca Cook (Heritage Group).
Apologies: John Kukuc (Chair), Derek Paterson (Heritage Group) Teresa Mulholland (CUFC EDI & Mental Health Officer), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road End) and Claire Winder (Supporters’ Trust),
In the absence of John Kukuc, Simon Clarkson chaired the meeting.
1. Club Updates
To read the club update, click HERE!
SK reported strong season ticket sales and hospitality bookings for the 2026/27. The new kit supplier will be announced soon.
JB asked when the kit launch would be with SK advising that transport routes had been split between air and sea in order mitigate current international supply issues. The target is to have the new kit on sale in July.
JB asked about the CEO recruitment with SK updating that the process was underway with the owners taking time to make the right appointment.
SJ asked about the Head Coach contract and any plans for club communication and SK explained that details of employment contracts are confidential
SC asked about the pre-season pitch renovations and SK advised that these commence at the end of the month after community pitch usage.
2. Fan Engagement – New Initiatives
TL reported that a key element of the fan survey was a desire to improve the stadium atmosphere. The introduction of the singing section in block 4 of the east stand had seen positive feedback and season tickets will be available next season. The Chief Safety Officer has cleared that fans can stand in the very back of this area but must not stand on seats or block access routes.
TL confirmed that CUFC will soon start to issue a monthly update from the owners/leadership team that will include fans questions.
The 152% increase in social media content shared is a season-on-season comparison and is a good measure for us, because it shows how proud people are to share it. Football club social engagement could increase simply because of a poor result, but posts are generally only shared because people connect to it.
TL will look at how to increase club presence across Cumbria, for example engaging with schools and junior groups regarding the Community Ticket Scheme.
TL commented that the club has implemented a Fans' Forum, will continue to explore how CUSG can be improved through things like in-person sessions, and that weekly fan feedback scores remain high.
The role of the Supporters Trust in gathering and relaying supporter feedback through its tailored feedback form, matchday gazebo engagement, CUSG discussions and direct communication with the club was also acknowledged.
3. Fans' Forum Debrief
TL reflected that the ticket allocation process was over complicated and time consuming. Utilisation of the QR code for question submission was a success but SJ suggested that the code could be circulated to all fans a few days before. CB asked if the audio quality could be improved and TL accepted the request. JB felt that the room layout made movement difficult. This was possible constrained due to the size of the panel. SJ observed that there was no explanation given to those on the stream for the delayed start and that despite the change in ticket allocation process, it was the same fans that always go who were in attendance.
All felt that the timing of the forum, two days before the biggest game of the season, was far from ideal. TL will look at the feasibility of a youth fans forum and the creation of forums on focused topics. SC suggested there should be two fans forums per season, one in the autumn and one in the spring.
TL commented that the atmosphere in the room was good, it was well attended, media were present and able to ask questions, and feedback from fans in the room at the time was positive. TL and JB had discussion around how to broaden representation at future forums, whether themed forums could work well, and TL commented that the fact the timing of the forum was driven by logistics and the aim of having the right people available on the panel.
4. Equality, Diversity and Disabled
To read the EDI update, click HERE!
We had a constructive discussion and agreed to meet at Brunton Park to look through the different areas together. We also discussed disabled access regulations and the club being aware of, and seeking to abide by, its responsibilities.
Dave Gale, the Disabled Supporters Rep had submitted the following report in advance.
I had reported an issue that wheelchair users were starting to not be allowed to enter the Warwick Road End via the west side entrance. This seems to have been a one-off issue as at the play-off game supporters were allowed to enter if their ticket scanned correctly. The concern over the lip from the back of the Warwick into the new wheelchair area was raised again. This has caused near misses for some wheelchair users. I had already notified Suzanne of this who confirmed it will be looked at in the summer.
There was an issue during the Boreham Wood game as it appeared that there were too many people in the wheelchair area of the Warwick and it became incredible cramped. There appeared to be some confusion regarding tickets, stewards and the supporters themselves. Hopefully these issues won’t occur at another big fixture next season. I would like to commend how helpful the steward who keeps an eye on us in the Warwick has been.
I am concerned that a lot of the issues raised to me tend to be Warwick specific, I hope next season that before a game I'd be allowed access to the other areas to talk to more supporters in the areas I don’t sit. Hopefully some sort of access could be granted, as well as talking to people I could check how the facilities are keeping and if there are any issues to report (SK confirmed access would be arranged).
Most of the issues this season have been due to parking but with the help of the club and the ticket office I have been able to help sort this out for numerous supporters.
I would like to thank the support of everybody this season and I hope to build on this role next year.
5. Calendar of Events and Projects
No new items added
6. Finance + CUHG Funding
Balance in bank £1,941.24
Ringfenced funds of £705.93 as follows:
| Disabled Account | £280.92 |
| Prediction Competition Prizes | £80.50 |
| Heritage Group Funding | £344.51 |
7. SLO Update
Home:
The SLO team of meeters and greeters at Brunton Park have again provided 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.
Away:
Claire Burgess, the away SLO, provides tremendous support on away matchdays to our fans, ranging from excellent quality pre-match information to an at stadium visibility and liaison with our hosts. Claire provided the following report:
As Carlisle United prepare for another season in National League, there have been many learning points that will enable a proactive approach next season with our hosts, where issues have arisen this season. They range from poor coach parking arrangements to inadequate toilets and a lack of segregation.
The away mascot scheme that included goody bags was well received, and I look forward to continuing to support this initiative by meeting the mascots and family at the ground. I look forward to next season as the away SLO.
8. Group Updates
Heritage Group:
The Carlisle United Heritage Group (CUHG) have forged great working partnerships with local organisations including the University of Cumbria (UoC), where the archive is based and Tullie, from whom we have benefited from a donation of display cabinets. We maintain display cabinets outside the ticket office and at the Brampton Road UoC campus. In the close season we will look to installing some of these display cabinets at Brunton Park. We look to rotate these displays regularly as we have so much material to display. Recent displays include the visit of David Ashman (son of Alan) and for the Hopper family to help promote the charity game on 31 May at Frenchfields.
We supported the Cumberland Building Society to celebrate 20 years of the community ticket scheme. Display cabinets are on show at the English Street branch.
On a national setting, we are establishing great contacts around the country, supporting other club heritage groups on a similar journey, and learning from others who are further advanced. We are now part of https://thegreatsave.net/
We are developing a website and now have over 600 followers of our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carlisleunitedheritage
We receive many requests for information from the public, and this aspect is a real joy as we regularly provide photos that family members have not seen before.
Archiving by sorting and cataloguing is now well underway, both at Brunton Park and at the archive. We are extremely grateful to support from fans with this, notably Geoff Jackson with programmes, James Stringer with shirts and John Bowman with fanzines.
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
WRE:
Sonny sent apologies and asked “What did everyone think of the singing section in section 4 for Brackley and the play-offs? Any criticisms/improvements? What went well in your opinions? I am going to be working over the next week or so with how we want to brand our move to Section 4 alongside CUST. Any suggestions on names we can use/ideas for projects would be much appreciated.
TL commented that the club wants to help drive the singing section forward, create a movement and support with branding and identity. TL suggested “Blue Army” as a possible route because it creates a clear identity, links to an existing chant, and could travel well with away supporters.
Scottish Supporters:
No new issues to report or raise that had not been covered by others.
Supporters’ Trust:
We've entered a member team into the CST mental health football tournament, thank you to everyone who applied & good luck to all the teams.
Away travel will continue next season. Response to a feedback survey was very positive and we're hoping to build a small team from travellers to help with stewarding the buses.
We thought the approach to the ticketing for the fans forum was overly complicated - it would be good to reflect on the fans forum in the meeting.
The lateness of the minutes from last meeting was problematic and went beyond the agreed delay due to the easter matches.
SC asked about away travel and SJ confirmed the aspiration that away buses will be put on for all away games next season.
London Branch:
The branch has been pleased to support the Brunton Park First Time Visitor scheme this past season; meeting the cost of the ‘goody bags’ given to the children. The final total of FTVs was 225, so branch sponsorship totaled £1,600 + VAT which has been paid to CUFC. Subject to agreement with CUFC, we plan to support the FTV scheme for 26/27.
At our May meeting we approved funding of £1,750 for the CUFC academy to purchase match jackets for the 26/27 season. We are finalising plans to award winners of the branch-sponsored Academy Goal of the Month with a suitably inscribed medal to be given to each winner to keep. We will be talking to Tracey Gannon about opportunities to support CUFC Ladies in 26/27.
We have purchased two home season tickets for the new season. Terry McCarthy and Mike Carruthers will share the away Match Day Organiser role for the season.
Our end of season awards was presented by branch members to Player of the Season, Regan Linney prior to the Braintree game and to Champagne Moment winner (goal at Forest Green) David Ajiboye at a training session on the eve of the Boreham Wood game. Thanks to CUFC media team for facilitating this and ensuring photos were taken.
Our AGM takes place at the Houses of Parliament 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 12 of our members on a tour of Westminster Palace at 5.30pm. As a result of our sponsorship of Jack Ellis in 25/26, we have a signed home and away shirt. The away shirt will be a prize at the AGM, and the home shirt will be a 40 Club prize.
Issue 342 of Hit The Bar! fanzine will be published in print and online at the start of June. Copies of HTB! are available in the Blues Store.
South Cumbria Supporters Club:
Following the unfortunate closure of our regular meeting place, we are likely to use facilities at Ibis FC. We are keeping in regular contact with CUST to where possible align away day travel via pick-ups at J36 on the M6.
9. AOB
JB gave feedback from members regarding the high frequency of kick-off time changes that made attending games difficult. When asked if the club can influence the National League to reduce the frequency, SK advised that DAZN were afforded this option through their contractual arrangements and there were little clubs could do. We await details for 2026/27.
Date of next meeting 29 June 2026
