However, serious doubts have since been raised about the identities of these new owners and their financial clout. Although any United fan would warm to the news of a change of ownership after the turmoil of the last three years, these developments are disturbing enough to force a postponement of KICK OFF 2001.

The campaign aims to maximise the gate at Brunton Park for the first post-Knighton league game. This game is due to be United v Shrewsbury Town on Saturday January 13, 2001. At the moment, with no clear indication yet of the identity of these new owners or clarification on their commitment to keeping Carlisle in the ENGLISH league, it would be difficult, if not impossible to run a campaign which was mainly designed to back these people and get the fans behind them.

That is not to say that fans should not get down to Brunton Park and support the Blues - far from it. We need all the support we can get at the moment and every fan should do their bit. With gates below 3,000 the business will not be profitable and at a guess, the club would need over 5,000 at present to support the current wage bill and allow the club to at least break even. That is why KICK OFF 2001 aims to get 5,000 supporters back inside Brunton Park, and hopefully on a regular basis.

However the campaign has not been cancelled and we still call on people to support the concept and to make their pledge to attend the game once the conditions are right to allow it to go ahead. We are not looking to make a list of demands, but the following should at least be in place before the campaign could be re-launched:

The retention of Ian Atkins as team manager;

An absolute commitment to keeping Carlisle United in the Football League;

An indication of the size of funds available for team strengthening;

The disposal of the remaining shares controlled by the Knighton family;

An indication of the nature of MAMCARR Investment Group and the names of at least one of the directors or major shareholders.

Supporters can not rest easy until at least most of these actions have been carried out. It is not fair to expect total support for a group of shadowy businessmen who may not have the best interests of the club at heart. Fans want to see United restored to their rightful position near the top of the league and not languishing in seeming perpetuity at the bottom.

The campaign aims to build up a strong head of steam before the crucial date and we want you the supporters to pledge your support TODAY by completing the form on this page and pledging to attend the home game that is eventually chosen. If you can come along, tell us on this page and include all the names of friends and colleagues who can come with you. Together we can fill Brunton Park again and kick off a new era for Carlisle United.

LINKS:

Official KICK OFF 2001 site
Email your support for the campaign to the News & Star

PLEDGES OF SUPPORT RECEIVED SO FAR : 137