United directors (photo: Barbara Abbott) John Nixon has denied that he and his co-owners at Carlisle United are “blockers” to takeover. The Blues director said he and his fellow members of the Brunton Park hierarchy said it is vital to take the necessary time to find the right successors. United’s supremos last week revealed that they still hope stalled “succession” talks with Edinburgh Woollen Mill / Purepay Retail Limited can eventually see change at the top of the club. Nixon, Andrew Jenkins and Steven Pattison have formed the controlling regime since 2008. The former told a fans’ forum that, despite criticism from some fans, he and his colleagues want the right future for the club.
It follows the recent sale of EWM, which had fallen into administration. United, though, say the club’s move towards being “self-sufficient” in recent years means they have already seen less need than before to rely on the “backstop” of funding from Philip Day’s firm. The Blues also say their finances are now stable enough to cover other areas linked to EWM funding in the past, such as the director of football position which had previously been covered by ring-fenced EWM cash. The prospect of a different shirt sponsor, meanwhile, also appears a possibility next season, although chief executive Nigel Clibbens said discussions on that area are yet to be had.