Carlisle United training ground news could be 'very close'

The new facility is one of the major parts of the Blues’ long-term vision under their American owners, the Piataks.

One particular site has been identified as United’s preferred choice after a number of site visits.

Simpson said last month that it was expected that Carlisle would be in a position to name the site in a matter of weeks.

Speaking to the News & Star ahead of Saturday’s home defeat to Reading, the Blues boss was preparing to be briefed on the situation by the Blues hierarchy.

Ahead of that meeting with the board, he said: “My understanding is that it's very, very close, but I honestly don't know yet.

The Piataks and Paul Simpson have been discussing training ground plans (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I know that there's been site visits going on and plans been discussed.

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“I don't know as I sit here where we are but I'm hoping that there's going to be good news.”

Simpson, at a fans’ forum in Kendal last month, said: “We’re hoping that, hopefully within the next few weeks, we might be able to say where the site is, and where we are with it – what the plan is for it.

“We are quite a long way down the line of looking into it.”

And days later, owner Tom Piatak told the News & Star that one particular site was the near-unanimous choice of the club hierarchy.

He also hinted that United’s preferred site already had some of the necessary infrastructure in place, such as road access and electrical and sewerage facilities.

The Florida businessman added that said the work would likely come in phases but he hoped that the first-team could start using new pitches at the site by July-August – with the entire facility, including artificial pitches, a dome, offices, gym and areas for academy and Ladies teams – completed “in less than three years, hopefully faster”.