Blues Owner Fred Story On The Promotion Party

Last updated : 21 May 2006 By Thetashkentterror
Fred Story
Carlisle owner Fred Story spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's touchline reporter James Phillips earlier this evening at United's trophy presentation for the League Two title. Story giving his thoughts on the hard work that has gone into the season to make it a success for everyone, and the hard work that is already going into the planning for next season :


" Tonight is fantastic. I think what we have got at Brunton Park now is a friendly, family atmosphere, there are kids and lots of girls and it's just a great atmosphere. Our fans have really carried themselves well all season, this is for the fans, they deserve it and it's just a thrill that they are getting this.

" I think all Cumbrians now believe in what is happening here. We made one promise when we started two years ago, or when I started two years ago, and that was that we would work hard for the club. That's the only the only promise we've made, that's the promise we'll continue to keep and that has it rewards.

" Those rewards are here today. Paul Simpson has been absolutely magnificent as a manager, obviously his coaching staff and team have delivered for him out on the pitch as well. I keep saying though that the great thing about it is that it is everbody's. It's the fans, all the sponsors, the players, it's the manager, it's just a great feeling and you just want more of it don't you.

" It's hard to take in really, when we came up last season I think we would all have been quite happy with consolidating in the top half of the division. I think in the tournament in the Isle of Man the team gave us a little bit more belief that we could actually do more than that but no-one in their wildest dreams thought that we would top this league and be champions. The good thing about it is that we are deserved champions, we've earned this and we're worthy of it. "



" We have created problems now with our own success, they are great problems though. Sport is about challenging things, challenging yourselves, and next season will be a big step and a big challenge for us. No-one ever believed that we would get promotion this year and I don't believe for a minute that we'll get promotion next year, if we get it though then we'll take it.

" What we will do though is work our socks off and do what we have done this year, let's hope that is good enough in the next division. I know that Paul (Simpson) is going to strengthen the team, the fanbase is strengthening as well that's for sure, the last few crowds have been superb. If we can keep the belief and keep winning at Brunton Park then I think the fans will keep coming, and that just means we can get stronger and stronger.

" Paul Murray is a great signing for next season, everybody knows the pedigree of Paul Murray, it's been a long time in coming to get his clearance but that is a big signing for the club. He's a class player, and Paul Simpson will continue to make signings, hopefully as good as Paul Murray. It just gives you hope that we can go and compete and do well in the next league. I gave Paul Simpson a big pat on the back when he came off the bus tonight I can tell you because he deserves it, hopefully my hands are big enough to do the job.

" It has been a little bit surreal for a few days having won the title but there is so much to do. There is an awful lot of work to do at the club, and it's doing that work that makes the difference. Everybody just continues to work hard and we were thanking the lord that it was the end of the season and we could have a rest, but then we started talking about all the things we need to be doing to get ready for next season, so I don't know if we will have a rest.

" The footballers will be putting their feet up over the summer and they deserve to do that, they are going to have a big party tonight and they will have a few drinks I'm sure. We've just got to keep working though, there is a lot of work to do, we are seeing the fruits of that labour and we've got to keep doing that, and that's how we bring success. "




Club chairman Andrew Jenkins also took time out from the celebrations to speak to Radio Cumbria, Jenkins commenting :

"I'm very proud. I've been in football a long time but this is the proudest moment of my life. To see all these people here tonight is unbelievable, we used to go to the Civic Centre but we never got a turnout like this. The players have been fantastic, in Paul (Simpson) we have got a very good young manager, and Fred (Story) has done a great job here as well. The supporters have played a very big part as well though, we have got to really thank and congratulate them because they have followed us through thick and thin. "