Future of Carlisle United assured

The club is to pay debts by selling land near its ground

Irish businessman John Courtenay has cleared the final hurdle in his bid to take over Carlisle United Football Club.

It has been announced that the club's creditors have accepted the offer put to them by the club's administrators.

Speaking at Brunton Park stadium on Friday, administrator David Elliot announced the approval of the deal with Mr Courtenay - with both creditors and shareholders voting unanimously to accept the offer.

Although the Irish businessman has now taken over the club, it will remain in administration until a buyer is found for land around Brunton Park.

'Football issue'

This would release money to pay off those owed money by the club.

Mr Eliott said: "Now the club can get on with the football side of things, and everyone can move forward.

"It is a football issue now, not a financial one. I will appoint some new directors to the board."

Roddy Collins: New start for the club

With the new management in place, its expected that the club will be able to come out of administration by the end of August.

Financial control of United will be transferred back to the board of directors.

Mr Courtenay first announced that he had bought the club last week, following months of discussions with the previous owner Michael Knighton.

At the start of this week, more than 1,500 supporters turned out at a fans' forum, to greet new chairman John Courtenay and returning team manager Roddy Collins.

Speaking after Friday's announcement Mr Doyle said: "It is a new beginning for me, and a new beginning for the club. There are going to be good times ahead.

New players

"It is good news, and we can go full-speed ahead now, and talk to the players about financial terms."

He also said there were plans to bring in eight new players.

The club went into voluntary administration in June to try to safeguard its future.

Joint administrators David Elliott and David Walker of BKR Haines Watts were appointed at the request of the club's directors.

The purchase of the club by Mr Courtenay ended Michael Knighton's controversial 10-year reign.