Latest news with #Piatak
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle United owner gives update on Hughes talks and 'review'
Carlisle United owner Tom Piatak has said the Blues aim to conclude talks with Mark Hughes next week. The Blues chairman also said the club want to resolve the "football leadership positions" before announcing its retained and released list. And Piatak confirmed that season ticket information for 2025/26 would be revealed on Saturday ahead of sales opening on Monday. The American businessman, though, did not confirm whether United would be continuing with the sporting director position in the wake of Rob Clarkson. He also gave no confirmation about the club considering candidates other than Hughes for the head coach role. Piatak issued an official update through Carlisle's website, nearly a week on from the end of the Blues' relegation season. It amounts to the first formal comment from the hierarchy since United's 2024/25 campaign came to a close, with Carlisle now facing National League football. Piatak, opening his statement, said he acknowledged that fans are "eager for updates", and he said that a "full, top-to-bottom review" of the club was under way. He said the present focus was on the football side of the club, with other "operational" aspects of United to follow later. The most pressing matters concern the head coach position, with the club still in talks with Hughes whilst also "reviewing" the sporting director role. "Discussions with Mark Hughes are ongoing, and we aim to reach a conclusion next week," said Piatak. "We are also reviewing the sporting director role carefully. We intend to learn from recent experiences, respond to what this review is uncovering, and make the structural improvements required for long-term success. "Once the football leadership positions are confirmed, those individuals will oversee the retained and released list. "That list is not due until May 17, and it's important the right people make those decisions." Some 11 players are out of contract at Brunton Park as the wait for decisions goes on. On season tickets, meanwhile, Piatak said: "Sales will open on Monday, and full details will be shared tomorrow [Saturday]." The businessman, whose family through Castle Sports Group have owned United since November 2023, added: "Our full, top-to-bottom review of Carlisle United is well under way. "Right now, our immediate focus is on the football department - performance, recruitment, culture, and structure. "While operational aspects will follow, football is the clear priority. "The findings from this review are already shaping the decisions being made and guiding the changes now happening behind the scenes. I'll be in a position to share more detail in the coming weeks. "I understand the appetite for swift action. But we must get this right. We're taking the time necessary to make the correct decisions - deliberately and diligently." Piatak, immediately after relegation was confirmed two weeks ago, said the review would cover all aspects of the club and that there would be "no sacred cows" when it came to decision-making. Jenna DeMasi, left, responded to fans on X on Friday afternoon (Image: Richard Parkes) His statement also comes on the same day daughter and director Jenna DeMasi used social media to deny rumours that players had been asked to choose the next head coach. She also said that the "review" was being conducted thoroughly, hence the time being taken before the outcomes are known. I know supporters are eager for updates following the conclusion of the season last weekend. As promised, we will continue to communicate transparently and directly with you. Our full, top-to-bottom review of Carlisle United is well underway. Right now, our immediate focus is on the football department - performance, recruitment, culture, and structure. While operational aspects will follow, football is the clear priority. The findings from this review are already shaping the decisions being made and guiding the changes now happening behind the scenes. I'll be in a position to share more detail in the coming weeks. I understand the appetite for swift action. But we must get this right. We're taking the time necessary to make the correct decisions - deliberately and diligently. Discussions with Mark Hughes are ongoing, and we aim to reach a conclusion next week. We are also reviewing the Sporting Director role carefully. We intend to learn from recent experiences, respond to what this review is uncovering, and make the structural improvements required for long-term success. Once the football leadership positions are confirmed, those individuals will oversee the retained and released list. That list is not due until 17 May, and it's important the right people make those decisions. As for season tickets - sales will open on Monday, and full details will be shared tomorrow. Your support and loyalty have been remarkable, and we are doing everything in our power to build a club you can be proud of - both on and off the pitch. Thank you for your continued patience and belief. Tom Piatak
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle United director responds to rumours amid ongoing 'review'
A member of the Piatak family that owns Carlisle United has hit back at rumours - and insisted that the "review" into the Blues' struggles will not be rushed. Jenna DeMasi used social media platform X to respond to supporters amid speculation over the Blues. Amid a rumour that players had been asked for their view on the relegated club's next head coach, DeMasi said the squad were NOT deciding who would be in charge. Instead, she suggested that the ongoing wait for news was because of the thoroughness of the review into the club. And she stressed that owner and chairman Tom Piatak was at the club every day in a bid to ensure the best outcomes. No, it's not true. We are doing a full review and speaking to EVERYONE on the football side. No player is deciding who the coach. This review cannot be rushed and no steps are being skipped. The chairman is at BP daily working on this, we all want what's best for CUFC. — Jenna Piatak DeMasi (@jennapiatak) May 9, 2025 Amid a discussion by fans of the latest rumour, Jenna posted: "No, it's not true. "We are doing a full review and speaking to EVERYONE on the football side. "No player is deciding who [is] the coach. READ MORE: What are the big decisions that we're waiting for at Carlisle United? "This review cannot be rushed and no steps are being skipped. The chairman is at BP daily working on this, we all want what's best for CUFC." The director's remarks amount to the first public comments from anyone in power at Brunton Park since the end of the season. It comes as United remain in discussions over whether Mark Hughes will remain as head coach, with decisions still also to be confirmed on the club's retained and released list, where 11 players are out of contract. The club are also yet to confirm season ticket prices for the 2025/26 season, when United will be playing in the National League after back-to-back relegations. Tom Piatak, after the penultimate game of the season at Cheltenham Town saw relegation from League Two confirmed, said a "top to bottom" review of the club would be taking place, and that there would be "no sacred cows" when it came to the decisions needed to put Carlisle on a more positive path. The club have so far made no further comment through their official channels. FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for the next 5 months for £5 - click
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle United owner 'deeply sorry' for relegation
The owners of a football club have said they are "deeply sorry" over its relegation and added they have taken "fully responsibility". Carlisle United Football Club (CUFC) were relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town on Saturday. The team return to the National League after a 20-year stay in the English Football League (EFL). CUFC chairman Tom Piatak said the "frustration and anger felt across the fanbase is fully shared by us" and added the group would "not hide from the work ahead". Mr Piatak, a businessman from Florida whose family have been in charge of Carlisle since November 2023, said the season "started with ambition and hope". However the club were in the bottom two for all bar three days since early October. "We fell short of the standards you rightly expect," the owner continued, describing Saturday's match as a "painful day". "Yet in the face of that, your loyalty has been extraordinary. "From 11,000 at Brunton Park on Good Friday to almost 1,000 of you in Cheltenham today, you've never stopped showing up. "That unwavering support is the soul of this football club." Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria: "It's not a great moment for anyone connected with the club. "It's difficult for everyone, not least the fans who came in great numbers again today. "We gave it a shot and the players gave me everything, but for everyone connected it is really hard to take." Mr Piatak added: "We will be transparent. We will be accountable. And we will not hide from the work ahead." Meanwhile Barrow Association Football Club said it was "always nice to freshen up" its bio on X. The club changed its description to "the only Football League Club in Cumbria". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Carlisle relegated from EFL after loss at Cheltenham Carlisle owner gives Williamson full support Carlisle United Football Club
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Carlisle United owner Tom Piatak 'deeply sorry' for relegation
The owners of a football club have said they are "deeply sorry" over its relegation and added they have taken "fully responsibility".Carlisle United Football Club (CUFC) were relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town on team return to the National League after a 20-year stay in the English Football League (EFL).CUFC chairman Tom Piatak said the "frustration and anger felt across the fanbase is fully shared by us" and added the group would "not hide from the work ahead". Mr Piatak, a businessman from Florida whose family have been in charge of Carlisle since November 2023, said the season "started with ambition and hope".However the club were in the bottom two for all bar three days since early October. 'A painful day' "We fell short of the standards you rightly expect," the owner continued, describing Saturday's match as a "painful day"."Yet in the face of that, your loyalty has been extraordinary. "From 11,000 at Brunton Park on Good Friday to almost 1,000 of you in Cheltenham today, you've never stopped showing up."That unwavering support is the soul of this football club." Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria: "It's not a great moment for anyone connected with the club."It's difficult for everyone, not least the fans who came in great numbers again today."We gave it a shot and the players gave me everything, but for everyone connected it is really hard to take."Mr Piatak added: "We will be transparent. We will be accountable. And we will not hide from the work ahead." Meanwhile Barrow Association Football Club said it was "always nice to freshen up" its bio on club changed its description to "the only Football League Club in Cumbria". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Owner sure Hughes will get Carlisle out of danger
Carlisle United owner Tom Piatak is confident that head coach Mark Hughes is the right man to drag the team out of trouble at the bottom of League Piatak appointed Hughes earlier this month as Carlisle's third boss of the season after Paul Simpson and Mike picked up his first win in charge at Barrow on Thursday in his fifth game in charge and Piatak believes the 61-year-old will make the difference in the fight to avoid relegation."I couldn't be more happy with who we have right now leading this fight," the Florida-based businessman told BBC Radio Cumbria."I'm confident he'll get us out of this." The derby win moved Carlisle level on points with Morecambe and only two adrift of managerless Tranmere Rovers, who occupy 22nd spot with 13 games was a first victory since 25 January and breathes new life into their survival came in after the transfer window had closed and Williamson had brought in 11 players before he was dismissed on deadline had shown his support for Williamson at a fans' forum in early January, but almost a month later he felt compelled to change."With the new players coming in, I expected different results," he said. "It didn't happen."I expected us to progress further, that's why I made the decision. But with perfect knowledge I would have made it sooner."But after discussions with sporting director Rob Clarkson, Hughes was a unanimous choice for the Brunton Park hotseat. "As soon as Mark's name surfaced, we were all over that," he added. "He is the perfect fit for the position we're in - his experience, his leadership and he commands the respect of the team."
