Carlisle United’s hierarchy say they are still pushing ahead with a “succession” plan involving Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

The Blues say their financial relationship with Philip Day’s empire is still “on course” to deliver long-term change at Brunton Park.

The pledge comes despite the crisis that hit Day’s EWM retail business in the last year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

And it appears the clearest sign yet that the billionaire tycoon still intends to be key to United’s future.

The collapse into administration of the EWM retail business saw Carlisle’s seven-figure debt to Day’s firm transferred to another company linked to EWM – Purepay Retail Limited.

Blues co-owner John Nixon said that firm have assured the Blues that they want to continue pushing on with “succession” plans at Brunton Park once the overall financial climate is clearer.

Nixon was speaking at an online fans’ forum which was streamed live by the Blues and hosted by the Carlisle United Supporters' Groups.

Asked why the club’s owners do not openly put United up for sale, Nixon said: “At this point in time we’re in the middle of an investment programme with one investor, which everybody’s fully aware of – EWM.

“At this point in time, no, it isn’t up for sale. If we’re looking to further the club it will be with that investor – that’s a tacit agreement we have with them.

“The investor at this point in time are indicating they’re going forward and want to maintain that.”

Nixon said a “plan” had been put together which looked all set to go through before the pandemic hit, with a transfer of shares appearing close to completion.

That, Nixon said, was set to involve the amalgamation of 'A' and 'B' shares in the club.

Asked what would happen to that plan now, Nixon said: “[Purepay said], ‘We want to carry on with that’...but [at this point in time we] want to get Purepay/EWM back up and running [as a retail concern]."

One of Purepay’s directors is EWM finance man John Jackson – who is also a United director on the CUFC Holdings board.

Although United recently confirmed they no longer had access to the “loan facility” EWM set up for the club in 2017, Nixon said financial support would still be available if the Blues needed it.

“We've asked the question of Purepay – if we want more funds can we come and ask you for them? The answer was yes," he said.

Nixon added while Covid had “put a spanner in the works” of the succession plan drawn up in 2019, it did not mean it had killed the plan.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens, meanwhile, added: “While the EWM entity might not be a viable option [for succession], the people behind that are still a viable option.”

Nixon, Clibbens and Billy Atkinson from supporters’ trust CUOSC all said United had good reason to be grateful for the financial support Day’s company had given the Blues in recent years.

They said the club could have got into real difficulty had they not stepped in.

Nixon added: “They've always been supportive. We expected them to get more involved. It was a local company, based locally...if you wanted to get all your ducks in a row, this was working perfectly.

“They moved [their headquarters] to Carlisle, were involved with the team - it seemed to be the right local input. Certain circumstances have changed that, but I don't think we're off course."

Nixon and Clibbens said United had, in recent weeks, received letters of assurance from EWM/Purepay and also chairman Andrew Jenkins’ firm Pioneer that they would not be calling in the club’s debts over the next 12-month period.

Nixon added that, at the stage the plan seemed set to be agreed, a potential “legal” issue caused a hold-up, but it was his belief that had been sorted.

The process, though, could take longer again now in light of tightened EFL measures aimed at scrutinising would-be owners of clubs.

CUOSC's Atkinson pointed out that the agreement for the "amalgamation of shares" was only based on that particular deal that was lined up two years ago.

He added: "If it hadn't been for EWM stepping in when they did, this club would have had serious problems. Supporters and Carlisle United should be eternally grateful.

"But the deal isn't done yet."

Clibbens, meanwhile, said United's debts to Purepay and Pioneer were not "draining cash out of the club" because there was no current obligation for Carlisle to make capital repayments.

He said the Blues' debt had only increased "slowly" because of interest.