On the anniversary of the Piatak family taking over the club, Tom Piatak sent out the following message:
Greetings, Supporters
We commemorate today the beginning of a new, revolutionary chapter in Carlisle United Football Club’s history.
Leading this amazing club for the first year has been an honour, and when I think back on everything we have accomplished in just a year, I am incredibly proud, grateful, and excited for what is yet to come.
Our goal when we took control in November was to create a prosperous, ambitious, and sustainable future for Carlisle United while upholding the values and traditions that make this club unique.
We’ve made great strides in achieving that goal because of your steadfast belief and support, but we’re just getting started.
First and foremost, the pitch needs to be improved. You can be confident that the ownership group is aware of this and is working tirelessly to strengthen our position, advance at the table, and eventually climb the football pyramid.
There are numerous aspects to emphasise when reflecting on this first year:
Boosting Football Operations:
• A far larger player budget to guarantee that we can compete and attain the achievement that we all aspire to.
• A new coaching staff to update our game and put us in a winning position.
• The creation of a new football structure and the hiring of Rob Clarkson as Sporting Director, who will supervise the growth and enhancement of our football operations and promote performance excellence.
• As we start to create a high-performance environment, we invest in football players, infrastructure, IT, and support services in an effort to catch up and surpass our competitors.
Fan-Centered Improvements:
• To improve the matchday experience and enable us to host fantastic community non-matchday events like the Euros, a new permanent large screen will be installed in the West Side Fan Zone.
• The creation of a new CUTV streaming service, app, and website to increase fan interaction and foster a greater bond with the team they love.
• 220 meters of electronic pitch-side LED perimeter advertising board infrastructure.
• The construction of a brand-new Warwick Road End Fan Zone featuring upgraded restrooms, food and beverage options, and most recently, a huge screen
• Constant improvements in fan facilities, such as upgraded disability access, food stands, new turnstiles, and expanded capacity, guarantee an inclusive and pleasurable experience for all fans.
Assistance for Staff and Players:
• The purchase of eight more houses to offer players and staff better lodging, creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere that draws supporters to the team.
• Combining the Club and Community Sports Trust into a new, interconnected framework that strengthens our influence in the neighbourhood.
• The Neil Centre was renovated, bringing our Academy’s staff together for the first time and offering considerably better facilities.
• The first-team changing rooms and official rooms on the west side will be remodelled to offer first-rate amenities.
• Nearly doubling our administrative staff to guarantee we have enough resources to run the club efficiently and support our expansion goals.
Development, Growth, and Sustainability:
• Restructuring the Club’s finances to give the cash and equity investment needed to advance the Club while removing a large amount of risk from outside funders.
• The largest single capital expenditure in Club infrastructure in more than two decades. The East stand now has new, high-end executive boxes and lounges that more than double our capacity for hospitality and open us new revenue-generating opportunities.
• Plans for a cutting-edge training facility at the Sheepmount have advanced significantly, and a sizable investment is being proposed to support long-term development and provide the Club and community with much-needed new facilities.
• A fresh strategy for our business dealings, establishing new connections with nearby and regional companies, and welcoming new members to the Club
• A sister cities effort to promote Carlisle and Cumbria to a wider audience is one of the great opportunities brought about by an international partnership with Jacksonville, Florida.
Tradition and Involvement:
• The start of a Heritage Fund initiative to honour Carlisle United’s illustrious past.
• A brand-new, creative collaboration in a variety of fields with the University of Cumbria.
Transparency & Communication:
Your voice matters to us, and we are committed to listening, engaging, and ensuring that our decisions reflect the heart of the club — its fans. We understand the importance of being accessible and transparent with our supporters. From day one of our involvement in the Club, we have made it a priority to strengthen communication by:
• Being present in the Fan Zone before every match we attend, providing opportunities for direct interaction with fans.
• Holding Fans’ Forums to answer your questions and discuss the future of the Club.
• Offering regular interviews and updates to ensure supporters are informed about key developments.
• Working closely with Carlisle United Supporters Trust through its nominated 1921 board director, to ensure the “fans’ voice” is at the heart of the Club and its decision making.
These accomplishments represent the foundation of something much bigger. Carlisle United is poised for greatness, and together, we will build the Club into a regional powerhouse that truly Owns the North.
With our ambitious plans for growth, we are determined to make Carlisle United a Club that inspires pride, not just in Cumbria, but throughout the football world.
This is only the beginning.
The future for Carlisle United Football Club is incredibly bright, and I could not be more excited about the journey ahead. Thank you for your passion, belief, and unwavering support. It is your energy that drives us forward every single day.
Here’s to the next chapter — and to an even greater future for the Blues!
With gratitude and ambition,
Tom Piatak
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