Carlisle United: Castle Sports Group completes takeover following EFL approval
- Published
Tom Piatak and wife/business partner Patty have been regular visitors to Carlisle and are enthusiastic about the club and the area
Castle Sports Group has completed the takeover and taken control of Carlisle United following ratification by the English Football League.
The Piatak family, from Jacksonville in Florida, have courted Carlisle extensively with club members already approving their takeover proposal.
Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has already agreed a revised budget for signings as part of the group's investment.
"We offer them a huge Cumbrian welcome," Carlisle's statement reads.
"Everyone associated with the club is delighted and looking forward to a long and successful future together."
The Cumbrians are in the relegation places within League One, with 14 points from 17 games so far this term, on the back of last season's League Two play-off final win over Stockport.
In securing new investment and ownership, long-standing chairman and co-owner Andrew Jenkins' tenure comes to an end, while fellow owners and board members John Nixon and Steve Pattison have also had a strong relationship with the club.
Carlisle supporters have been enthused by the opportunity of the Castle Sports Group interest given the financial muscle the family, who own a logistics firm in the United States, could bring to the League One club.
While their interest had already been piqued by the time Carlisle won promotion to League One, the Piataks were further encouraged by the potential within their investment.
In its statement,, external the Castle Sports Group said the investment was a "commitment to the rich history and tradition" of the club, and spoke of "optimism and enthusiasm" for the years ahead.
"This marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the club," Tom Piatak wrote.
"We are committed to investing in in is success and building a bright future together."
The new owners will be present at Carlisle's first game since the takeover completion, against Charlton Athletic at Brunton Park on Saturday.
'This is huge for a generation of fans'
Analysis - James Phillips, BBC Radio Cumbria Carlisle United commentator
It promises to be one of the huge bits of news for a generation of Carlisle United fans; I spoke to one fan who is a prominent fan, and involved with the supporters group who said it might be the biggest news in the club's long history.
Bearing in mind this is a team that was knocking on door of the Championship in recent memory and in the 1970s were in the top flight, him saying that those moments were brilliant, but were almost done against adversity.
This is a mega-wealthy family who had bowled everyone over with their insight and interest. They've assumed overall control, they felt Carlisle was untapped potential and they wanted to try to make them into a club that can play at a much higher level.
That's the ambition and we can't wait to see how they do it.