Paul Simpson says the indications are that Carlisle United are talking to “the right people” regarding investment in the club.

It was recently revealed that American businessman Tom Piatak is interested in the Brunton Park club.

While United are continuing not to comment on the specifics of any talks, manager Simpson said discussions behind the scenes are real – and not merely speculation.

The Blues boss sounded an optimistic note when discussing the topic at his weekly press conference today.

“What I’ve established is it’s not just a rumour. There [are] talks going on,” Simpson said.

“I hope that it’s successful talks because I think it could be good for the football club. But I’m sure the club will keep everybody posted.

“At the moment I’m not in a position to say anything else. But I think it’s really exciting. It’s a good thing for the football club.

“Let’s hope it’s all positive as we move forward.

Our coverage of the Piataks' interest in Carlisle United

“Carlisle United isn’t just the football club, it is part of our city, the community. It has to be right for everybody. It’s as simple as that.

“I’m in the fortunate position of being allowed to be working for Carlisle United but the club will go on a lot longer than I will as the manager of it.

“That’s the same as the ownership group. They have to find the right people to come in.

“All the sounds are that they are the right people that they’re talking to. We’ve just got to hope it’s right for everybody.

News and Star: Tom Piatak, centre, attended the play-off final at Wembley while members of his family have also been at other Carlisle gamesTom Piatak, centre, attended the play-off final at Wembley while members of his family have also been at other Carlisle games (Image: Richard Parkes)

“The directors of the club have only got Carlisle United at heart. I’m sure if they think it is the right thing then it will happen.”

While Simpson has discussed the potential for change at Brunton Park, United’s hierarchy and supporters’ trust CUOSC are yet to publicly address the Piataks’ interest directly.

The Florida-based logistics businessman and his family have attended Blues games in recent months - including the League Two play-off final at Wembley in May.

The manager, though, said the prospects are “exciting”. Asked how much he had been told by directors, Simpson added: “It’s more a ‘need to know’ [basis]. It isn’t going to affect me at the moment. If anything does happen it isn’t going to affect us in this summer transfer window.

“They’re telling me what they think I need to know.

“I think it’s really exciting. I don’t think it’s anything to fear. If it happens I think it will be something that will be good for the club and something the current directors think will be good for the club.

“Ultimately that’s the only thing they’re concerned about. Whoever does come in has got to be right for this football club to make sure it’s passed on to good hands.

“I’m certainly not going to be one who’s making no comment. I think we have to embrace it and we’ve got to be excited by what might happen.”

Asked if what he had heard had given him grounds for optimism, he added: "Yeah, without a doubt.

"I don’t know any terms of it, it’s none of my business – all I want to know is there’s an opportunity for this football club to be in a better position.

"The players have done their job on the grass to put us in a better position. Hopefully if anything does happen, it happens for the best of the football club and it puts us in a better position."

Simpson says he is not yet aware of what potential top-level change would mean in terms of the wider development of the Blues, such as training facilities and stadium improvements.

But he hoped any progress would be for the good of the club.

“Where we are at the moment, we’ve hit a bit of a standstill because the truth is we don’t have the finances to give us the extra funds to try and compete at League One, and to get the training facilities,” he said.

“If the opportunity of new investment comes in that opens that door, and maybe even making facilities inside the ground better for the supporters as well, that’s going to give us a better chance.

“My thing when I came back into the club was that I wanted the club to be in a better position. I was really disappointed that I felt the club had stood still since I left in 2006.

“We’re now in a better league, we’ve got a better fanbase coming in – I know the fanbase was always out there but they weren’t coming and watching.

“We’ve got a better support coming from local businesses, over the last 18 months. We’ve got to keep going.

“I want the club to be as good as it possibly can be. If you look around Cumbria…I know there are other clubs, [but] Barrow basically base themselves in Manchester so they’ve taken themselves out of Cumbria.

“We are the Cumbrian football club and we’ve got to do everything to make this club the best it can be, that encourages people to come back.”