Manager Paul Simpson says talks with Carlisle United’s American suitors are progressing “positively”.

The Blues boss says he has been given indications that things are on track at the top of the club.

Florida logistics businessman Tom Piatak and his son Tom attended Carlisle’s game against Exeter City last weekend.

They watched the first half of the 2-0 defeat from the Andrew Jenkins Stand before moving to the Warwick Road End.

Their visit came after the News & Star revealed the Jacksonville family's interest in the club earlier this month.

Manager Simpson said he met the USA family last week and has since heard that things are going well.

“I think, from what I’m told, the talks were really positive – everything’s moving forward in a positive way,” Simpson told the News & Star.

“Hopefully over the next few weeks things will move forward even quicker.”

News and Star: Paul Simpson says he has heard that talks are progressing positivelyPaul Simpson says he has heard that talks are progressing positively (Image: Ben Holmes)

United’s supporters’ trust CUOSC say the club’s “potential investors” – they have not named the Piataks – are set to meet fans at a series of members’ meetings next month.

Carlisle last week also confirmed they were in talks with parties interested in taking over the club.

The Blues hierarchy have not officially named the Piataks but their interest in the club is now an open secret. Chief executive Nigel Clibbens last week said there was “credible” interest in a takeover at Brunton Park, but also stressed the importance of a breakthrough in talks over the club’s seven-figure debt to Purepay Retail Limited.

Those negotiations were at a “delicate” stage, CUOSC said last week, with club and Purepay having been in contact by letter recently over a potential repayment plan.

Simpson said he knew of the Piataks’ presence at the ground last Saturday but did not get the opportunity to meet them on matchday.

“I was aware they were here, but I never actually got the chance to see them, because when I came back from doing the media, they’d literally just left,” he said.

Simpson said he had had a brief “meet and greet” encounter with them earlier in the week.