Piataks Make Six-Figure Payment to Reduce Carlisle United’s Debt…
It has been revealed that Carlisle United’s new owners, the Piatak family, made a £100,000 payment to reduce the club’s debt to Pioneer Foodservice prior to their takeover. This payment came at the request of the club’s previous owners during negotiations.
In recent Carlisle United Supporters’ Groups (CUSG) meeting minutes, the club confirmed that the Piataks’ Castle Sports Group contributed £100,000 to lower the debt, which had been £417,000 according to United’s 2022/23 accounts.
The club clarified that this payment was in addition to a previously agreed repayment plan, which had been established before the American family’s takeover in November.
Carlisle United’s chief executive, Nigel Clibbens, explained that the deal terms were negotiated by individual shareholders, and one of their conditions was for the Piataks to make an extra cash payment to reduce the debt. The Piatak family agreed.
Pioneer Foodservice, the company of the late Andrew Jenkins, a long-time Carlisle United director, owner, and chairman, has long supported the club through sponsorship and loans.
While the primary focus during the takeover was resolving the £2.4m debt to Purepay Retail Limited—which the Piataks purchased and later forgave—addressing the Pioneer debt was also a key issue. Clibbens noted that the club continues to receive questions from fans about its remaining debts and confirmed that the club’s audited accounts for the year ending June 30, 2024, will provide full details on loans and repayments.
Before the takeover, the club had agreed on a repayment plan with Pioneer, alongside a long-term sponsorship deal. Clibbens expressed the club’s gratitude for Pioneer’s ongoing support, noting their sponsorship includes the East Stand, renamed after Andrew Jenkins in August to honor his years of service.
The club also shared that by June 30, 2023, their debt had been reduced to around £236,000, with expectations to lower it further to £180,000 by June 2025 through continued repayments and sponsorship.
The Piataks took a 90% stake in the club last November, with the previous owners, including Andrew Jenkins and others, reducing their ownership, and the supporters’ trust dropping its stake from 25.4% to 10%.
