Piataks in Carlisle United takeover talks set to meet staff

Manager Paul Simpson said the American business family will spend time talking to the club’s workforce.

It comes ahead of a meeting with United’s supporters’ trust members this Sunday when the Piataks will share their plans for the Blues.

The Florida family, who are in advanced talks with United, will be represented by six family members at the CUOSC meeting.

Blues boss Simpson says he is looking forward to hearing more from the Piataks as they close in on a deal.

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“I’ve heard bits of it and it’s all very promising,” said the United manager.

“I know there’s a few hurdles they need to get over, which hopefully they will get over.

“It will be very interesting to see what they say when they meet the fans next weekend – I’m sure there’s a lot of people who want to go, but can’t because of numbers.

Paul Simpson says he has heard promising things about the Piataks' plans (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I believe they are going to be coming into the club as well at some point to speak to the staff.”

The Piataks’ planned meeting with club staff is a further indication of how far down the line takeover talks appear to be.

The Jacksonville family are operating under an exclusivity agreement as things get closer to a conclusion.

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CUOSC say a members’ vote after Sunday’s meeting will “contribute” to the overall proposed deal which is aimed at a change of control at Brunton Park.

The Piataks, in a statement last week, spoke of the “extraordinary opportunity” they feel lies ahead for United.

They said they want to build United on and off the pitch and help the club move to the next level.

But they also warned that resolving the club’s seven-figure debt to Purepay Retail Limited remained a “significant hurdle” to a deal being finalised.

In a statement via their newly-formed UK company Castle Sports Group, the American family stressed that they wanted as much of their investment as possible to stay in the club.

Simpson said that, while the progress of talks was intriguing, he would not get sidetracked from the job in hand.

“We’ll see what happens,” he added.

“At the moment we’re just focusing on our games.

“We’ve got a big game to look forward to next week [at home to Derby County], and to prepare for, and hopefully the Piatak family will come in and show everybody what they’ve got plans for and it all goes smoothly.”