Tributes have been paid to former Carlisle United and supporters trust director Jim Mitchell, who has died.

His former colleagues at CUOSC say they are "devastated" by his passing while the club have also paid tribute.

Mr Mitchell, who was 76, recently stepped down from the boards of CUOSC and the club due to ill health.

He had been suffering from motor neurone disease, United said.

Mr Mitchell had been the trust's director on United's 1921 operational board for six years, was a CUOSC director for ten years and had also been chair of United's community sports trust.

Billy Atkinson, who represents CUOSC on United's Holdings board, today said: "I have known Jim for many years not just through his work with Carlisle United but also through his time with the county council.

"He lived and breathed Carlisle United. It was his absolute passion.

"I got to see that even more when we worked together with CUOSC and became representatives on the boards of the club.

"It often seemed nothing was more important to Jim than the club and its future. In retirement he worked tirelessly for the club’s community trust and wanted the Blues to be at the heart of the community.

"We became great friends and I had great respect for everything he did. I will miss him enormously.

"After he finished playing local football – where he will also be well remembered – he became a keen walker and would often be seen out and about around the town. It has been really sad to see his health deteriorate over the last couple of years.

"I want to pass on my sincere condolences to his wife Marion and family."

Nigel Davidson, who succeeded Mr Mitchell as CUOSC' director on United's 1921 board, said: "I joined the supporters' trust board over nine years ago. I was welcomed by all as the then ‘youngster’.

"Jim was probably the most quiet at that time, it took a couple of meetings to get him to warm up to the young upstart. He was obviously weighing me up in his own inimitable way, wondering if I’d be a teammate he could rely on or an opponent he’d have to be wary of. 

"As I got to know him better, we got on really well and we then spent many hours over the years talking about all manner of things Carlisle United. 

"I’d give him lifts home after meetings and we’d put the world to rights as far as CUFC was concerned. Jim was knowledgeable, intelligent, plain speaking and so passionate about CUFC, the community trust and the supporters' trust and when I began to introduce a lot of the equality, diversity and inclusion work, he was its biggest advocate. 

"Jim was as uncompromising in his support of all things Carlisle United as he was on the pitch as a player. 

"Some of the stories he has told me and those I’ve heard from others’ about his exploits over the years have been enthralling and jaw-dropping in equal measure. He lived life on his terms and I respect him massively for that.

"When his health began to fail in recent years and I took over from him on the 1921 board at Carlisle United, I wondered how I would live up to the example that he set. I will never know if I can do that, but what I do know is that in every discussion I have and every decision I make, I’ve got him in the back of my mind giving me his view.

"My sincere condolences to Marion and his family. Farewell my friend."

Carlisle United directors have also paid tribute to Mr Mitchell.

Chairman Andrew Jenkins, who knew Mr Mitchell for many years, said he would be "greatly missed.

“As a director of the club I can say beyond doubt that he represented the fans and the trust in a strong and forthright way, but also in the right way, and his input has been invaluable," he said.

“He was prepared to listen and debate, always looking for workable solutions rather than causing problems. His presence at meetings was a positive one, and was of real benefit to us all.

“As a friend, he was just always there and, again, always in a positive frame of mind. People will remember him on the local football scene as a strong player who really enjoyed winning back in the day.

“When we moved our business to Rosehill he took over our team, and a lot of very good local players benefitted from his advice and from the spirit he created in the dressing room.

“He loved Carlisle United. He started coming to watch as a boy and I know he felt it was a great honour to be involved behind the scenes in later years.

“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and loved ones at this very sad time.”

Co-owner John Nixon said Mr Mitchell had made an "immense" contribution to the Blues and was "always determined to do his bit to try to make things better."

"A man with a positive outlook, and with a determination to find a way forward whatever the circumstance, he brought a new dimension to the way clubs and fan groups should and can work together," Nixon said.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens added: “Jim loved the club so much and put his heart and soul into trying to make the club better, and stand up for fans.

“We had many hours together over the years. He was a great bloke and I will really miss him.”

Community sports trust manager John Halpin added: "Jim has been there for me for so many years, I was so shocked when I heard the news.

“His logical approach to everything - a product of his working life away from the club – has helped me and my staff to get so many different projects up and running and off the ground.

“Without him the community side of our business wouldn’t be where it is today. He was the first ever CST chair and, to date, he’s the only person to have held that position.

“He guided the sports trust and the trustees with a measured hand, and I know we all saw him as a friend as well as our chairman.

"That’s possibly one of the best tributes I can pay him, because that’s the type of man he was.

“A really good person, he will be deeply missed.”