Carlisle United’s big decisions on the pivotal February day which saved their season “were not welcome in certain quarters”, the club’s chief executive has said.
Nigel Clibbens said eyebrows were raised in some departments at the decisions which saw Keith Millen and David Holdsworth depart and Paul Simpson return.
The director, though, said United’s owners had been vindicated for making the “difficult” calls, given the upturn which saved the Cumbrians’ EFL status and lifted the mood around the Blues.
The dramatic day came on February 23 after a bleak run of form which had seen United slump into the League Two relegation zone.
It saw the removal of manager Millen after just four months in charge, and the departure of director of football Holdsworth after nearly four years.
Clibbens did not specify who disagreed with the decisions, though some fans have speculated that it may have been a reference to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill / Purepay Retail Limited financial influences at United, given Holdsworth’s close relationship with EWM boss Philip Day.
United remain in seven-figure debt to Purepay, a legacy of loans made by EWM from 2017.
Speaking at United’s end-of-season awards dinner at the Halston on Sunday evening, Clibbens said: “When we got to mid-February the club was in a pretty dark time. All the supporters were very worried, and we were deeply worried about what would happen if we went down.
“The National League is not like it was the last time this club was in it. The prospects of us being in there are not worth thinking about, believe me.
“We as a club had to learn from the mistakes we’ve made in getting us into that position. There’s been a lot of hard reflection going on.
“Thankfully we made some good decisions and got the club back on track.
“It was difficult. We cannot be in that position again. Just as it was Jimmy Glass’s day today [May 8], in my mind, February 23 – as well as being my wife’s birthday – it’s now going to be synonymous with Paul Simpson day.
“We made some tough decisions that day. I can tell you, it wasn’t easy. We felt we had to make some changes, not just one – a number – and we made them.
“I can tell you – the changes we made, in certain quarters, were not welcome. They were difficult for us to make. There was a feeling that those decisions weren’t right.
“But I’m really pleased the directors and owners stood up to be counted, showed courage to make those decisions that day.
“I dread to think what would have happened if they hadn’t. They get a lot of stick, the guys, but that day was really important and they made the right choices.”
Clibbens also used his speech to the audience to issue a rallying cry for people in the area to back the club.
He said United’s potential had been shown by some of the big followings seen since Simpson returned and led the team to safety.
The chief executive said the time to capitalise on that was now.
“I’ve been here a while, and I believe the upcoming season and seasons, and where we are now, gives this club the best opportunity we’ve had in my time here to do something,” he said.
“It’s there for us. It’s because the club has changed. I can see it before my eyes in a short time – we have more pride, faith, belief, optimism...all these things have come from nowhere, from a very dark place.
“Everybody in this room and city has to recognise this is a chance for us to do something and we have to take it.
“The directors saw that - we did everything we could to keep Paul. He saw that and did everything he could to want to stay. We’ve started that journey but it’s only a couple of steps.
“Anyone who’s seen what’s happened at Scunthorpe, Oldham, even Bury, will know how important community football clubs are in provincial towns and cities.
“People take them for granted until things start to go wrong and look like they’re going to disappear, and then everybody says, ‘This is not right’.
“We cannot let that happen here. We all have to step up, come out, stop standing on the side, and do something for this club.
“We can’t do it on our own. We don’t have a money man to help us compete with people paying super high wages. We don’t have anyone to stand behind us if we run out of cash.
“We have to run a very prudent club and do everything right. The more people backing us, the more chance we have of success.
“For those people who’ve been stood on the side, watching and waiting, don’t do that any more – please join in, back this club and back this new feeling, and let’s see where we go.”
Clibbens also paid tribute to United’s supporters, plus the club’s sponsors and staff.
On fans, he said: “It’s been a really difficult year, they’ve stuck by us through not much good times and quite a few bits of bad times.
“The numbers that have come and backed us have been immense. Anybody who witnessed 1,700 at Bradford, for what could be seen as an end of season game, knows what we have the potential to become.”
The director thanked United’s business partners for their backing in tough times, reserving particular praise for shirt sponsors Thomas Graham and Bimson Haulage.
Clibbens said announcements on shirt sponsors for next season will be made “in the next few days”.
On United’s staff, he added: “They work tirelessly, day in, day out. They love the club. They have had it tough, and some dark times this season when they were worried about their jobs and what would happen if they left this league. But they gave everything.”
Clibbens also said United’s players deserved credit for the “remarkable turnaround” since February.
He also commented on the touchline incident at Bradford City on the final day, when home manager Mark Hughes clashed with United’s assistant manager.
“I am expecting another letter from the FA for trouble on the touchline, as sparked by our new flyweight champion Gavin Skelton…” he said.
READ MORE: Carlisle United's end-of-season awards dinner - as it happened!
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