Carlisle United fans' trust CUOSC discuss rebranding process

Discussions over a restructure of CUOSC have been ongoing for some time but were paused amid the Piatak takeover process.

The situation will now be restarted, trust officials told fans at their AGM.

The meeting, which involved four supporters being elected to the CUOSC board, heard directors asked if there were any plans to change the trading name of CUOSC – which stands for Carlisle United Official Supporters’ Club – to something involving the word ‘Trust’.

According to meeting minutes shared with members by CUOSC, chair Matt Spooner said “a process of re-branding and re-structuring had begun over 12 months ago but had been paused due to the takeover process, which the board of CUOSC was closely involved in.

“Now that the takeover had been completed, the process could re-start.

“Dan [MacLennan, vice-chair] added that some very basic work had been done on this process before the takeover had taken precedence.

“He stated that any changes that do come need to be supported by fans. He stressed that the board are the representatives of all CUFC supporters.”

Spooner, in response to a further question, raised the idea of two separate ‘arms” of the trust, including a strong ‘supporters’ club’ element with defined roles for CUOSC board members.

Matt Spooner, pictured with the Piatak family, says a 'rebranding' process can now resume (Image: Barbara Abbott)

The AGM saw four fans – Claire Winder, Mike Denovellis, Ross Parkinson and Martin Robson – elected to the trust board in a vote which saw existing directors Nigel Davidson and Carol Wilson lose their board seats.

Davidson will remain CUOSC’s representative on Carlisle United’s 1921 operational board until a new board rep could be appointed and pass the EFL’s owners’ and directors’ test.

Davidson, Wilson and the retiring board member Malcolm Nugent were thanked for their service at the meeting.

Three of the new board members were at the AGM, with Parkinson also paying tribute to everyone who has served on the CUOSC board over the years, “reminding the meeting that they all do it for free.”

He also encouraged fans to come forward with their ideas and let CUOSC know what they wanted.

Denovellis, who had a previous spell on the board, said the improved voter turnout for the 2023 AGM “was a sign of the greater representation that CUOSC can now command. He said exciting times were ahead.”

Robson, meanwhile, added that “he was looking forward to continuing the good work done by the board.”