Carlisle United chief's confidence in Piataks' intentions

The American family are aiming to seal a takeover deal at United soon.

Things appear to be taking significant steps forward after Clibbens told a fans’ forum that a “resolution is close” on the club’s debt to Purepay Retail Limited.

The director said other aspects of the deal were on track – and, asked by supporters for his take on the Florida business family, Clibbens spoke positively.

Asked at Thursday night's online forum, staged by the club’s supporters’ club London Branch, for his view on the Piataks as business people and their long-term commitment, the chief executive said: “I have a lot of confidence in that.

“They’ve spent a lot of time in the early days [of talks] explaining how they develop their businesses, back in Jacksonville, the cultures they try to bring to those businesses and how they approach them.

“It was clear they have long-term plans and visions in mind for things, then they execute them. That’s all part of being successful.

“They haven’t reached the success they’ve got over there by accident.

“They seem good people with good ideas, and are prepared to listen – which are all good signs beyond the tick boxes and compliances you have to go through [for a takeover to be approved].”

Clibbens added that he was “heartened” by his conversations with the Piataks about their intentions for the club.

“Suzanne Kidd [United’s finance director] and I have spent many hours on Zoom calls, and when they’ve been in the club, explaining to them the dynamics of football finance almost from the bottom up,” said the United chief.

The Piataks, pictured in the directors' box at Brunton Park recently, have been in talks for months over a takeover deal via their new company Castle Sports Group (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“They’ve been accumulating their knowledge very quickly and in depth.

“I get the sense that they want to know everything that’s going to make this club better, which is very heartening.

“I’ve spoken to many people in the past who have made approaches and who’ve said, ‘This is what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it’, and to be honest, you shake your head.

“I’m heartened by the way they [the Piataks] have approached it – that should be good for the club if we can get this deal done.”

Clibbens said it was “premature” to speculate what the early days of a Piatak ownership would look like.

But he said the family would be keen to show “positive change” across the club.

On the prospect of an increased budget for Paul Simpson in the January transfer window, Clibbens added: “The family has made it clear when talking to [supporters’ trust] CUOSC, they’d have preferred this done in time for [the summer] window.

“It’s important that we get the deal done as soon as possible so that means the family can start to make an impact on the club on and off the field as quickly as they can, then have some time to prepare for January.”

Clibbens said the family were clear about wanting to improve Brunton Park, and added: “Once they’ve had experience of other clubs in action it will give them a much more rounded view of what English football is like and where successful clubs are and what they do.”

He added: “There has to be balance between on and off-field. I think they understand that already.

“I think they see lessons of other people who’ve come in and learned very harshly how easy it is to see a lot of your cash go very quickly for no long term benefit.”