Paul Simpson admits he is “excited” by the talk of new investment in Carlisle United.
The manager said he has not met the American business people who the News & Star revealed are interested in the club.
But Simpson said the idea of people coming in to drive the Blues forward is an appealing one.
Asked if he was aware of the interest from Florida-based Thomas Piatak, Simpson said today: “I’ve heard the rumours like everybody else has.
“All I can say is I’ve never met them. I don’t know who they are.
“It excites me to think something could happen.
“That’s not in any way being disrespectful to [the club’s current owners] Andrew [Jenkins], John [Nixon] and Steve [Pattison], because since I came into this club they have been magnificent to me.
“At the time I came back, John said the directors were aware there needed to be new investment. If they believe – because it's only them who can make this decision – that these are the right people to take the club forward, that is absolutely brilliant and that can only be good for our club.”
Read our exclusive coverage of the story that has got Carlisle talking
- Revealed - American businessman in talks with the Blues
- New UK 'sport' company set up by the Piataks
United's hierarchy have not commented on our story, which revealed that Jacksonville logistics businessman Piatak and his family had attended a number of Blues games as well as meeting club officials and supporters’ trust figures.
Piatak has also not yet responded to our invitation to comment.
Simpson said that, on a general level, it was pleasing that United, following their recent successes, appeared a more attractive proposition to investors than they have in the past.
“I certainly think this club is a better saleable asset in its state now than it has been for quite a few years,” he said.
“If that’s what it is then brilliant. There’s lots needs to happen. We need investment not only on the playing side but on the facilities side, because it’s like the money’s just going down like a drain.
“If there’s something, somebody out there who can make us better, I’d be delighted to sit down and talk to them.”
It also emerged yesterday that Tom Piatak and wife Patricia formed a new UK sports company in July called Castle Sports Group Limited.
It remains to be seen how that could be connected to their interest in the Blues.
The family, who own and run Magellan Transport Logistics in Jacksonville, were pictured sitting close to Carlisle’s directors at May’s League Two play-off final against Stockport County at Wembley, while the family also attended the Bradford City play-off semi-final second leg at Brunton Park and, more recently, July’s pre-season friendly at Annan Athletic.
Simpson added of our scoop on Wednesday: “I was really pleasantly surprised. I think if we’ve got anybody that can come in and help take the club forward I’ll welcome them with open arms.
“My aim is to try and make Carlisle United better. If we’ve got more investment we’ve got a better chance of doing that.
“All I know is I’ve seen the story, I was told about it. I was pleasantly surprised by it. It doesn’t worry me, it makes me optimistic for the future of the club.
“Let’s wait and see. Knowing how these things happen in football, it ain’t gonna happen overnight. I wouldn’t think it’ll happen in time to affect anything in the August transfer window.
“All I’m doing is cracking on doing what I have to do until somebody says, ‘Here’s new investors, do you want to have a chat to them?’.”
Simpson also expressed his hope that United’s current owners “get looked after” through the terms of any potential deal, “because they’ve been great servants for this club.”
He added: “I thought it was fitting to name the [East] stand after the chairman [Jenkins].
“They’ve done incredible work for this club, regardless of what anybody thinks.
“Without the three of them, and I know the trust [CUOSC] are involved, I don’t really know where the club would be.
“If there is somebody out there who wants to invest and take the club forward, brilliant, let’s bring it on because it can only be good for us.”
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