Carlisle United manager's appeal to Purepay on takeover

The Blues boss described the club’s debt to the company as “still a huge stumbling block” to the deal.

The manager’s comments come despite the Piatak family stating on Saturday evening that “progress” was being made in their bid to take control of United.

Simpson said he had been updated on the situation by the club’s chief executive Nigel Clibbens.

“[I] really briefly [spoke to him], and our understanding is we’re hoping that it’s all going smoothly,” the Carlisle boss told the News & Star.

“There is still a huge stumbling block with Purepay.

“And I would hope that Purepay just have a little bit of understanding to try and take this club forward.

“It started as a fantastic gesture from a local businessman in Philip Day [via loans from Edinburgh Woollen Mill], that’s now turning into a real problem.

“And I just hope it doesn’t block anything.”

The Piatak family from Jacksonville, Florida, issued a brief comment via the social media account of Castle Sports Group, the company they are using a vehicle for the Blues takeover.

The Piatak family on Saturday said progress was being made with the proposed takeover (Image: Barbara Abbott)

"Tough loss today for the Blues - on a positive note, off the pitch, progress is being made on the transaction!," their comment said.

It was the Piataks' first public remark on the takeover since they expressed their gratitude to supporters for the overwhelming backing given by CUOSC members at last month's vote.

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Tom Piatak snr said last month that the family were hopeful of sealing the takeover deal in the October 14-20 period.

He also expressed optimism that a resolution could be found with Purepay, who United owe in the region of £2.7m, the debt having been transferred to Purepay after EWM went into administration during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is not yet clear whether the Piataks have been able to secure any dialogue with Purepay.

The takeover is also being assessed by the EFL, with information submitted to the league by the Piataks and the Blues.

The News & Star recently attempted to contact Purepay for comment but the company has never spoken publicly about the matter.

United co-owner John Nixon said at a fans' forum in the summer that the club was informed by lawyers that Philip Day was not involved in the debt discussions. The Blues, he said, were instead in dialogue with Purepay's former CUFC Holdings director John Jackson.