The group of businesspeople and former players behind an approach for Carlisle United are seeking talks with the club’s main financial backer this week.

Ex-Blues players Chris Lumsdon and Steve Skinner, who are fronting a group of unnamed businesspeople, went public with their part in the proposals after news of the approach emerged during the weekend.

The duo now say that discussions with Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) Group boss, Philip Day, will be the next key step in their attempt to get involved with the club.

Retail mogul and billionaire Mr Day has loaned a seven-figure sum to the Blues since 2017. The exact level of EWM's debt is unconfirmed, though it stood at £1.31m at the end of the club's last accounting period. 

Mr Lumsdon, a columnist for in-Cumbria sister title, the News & Star and BBC Radio Cumbria co-commentator, said he hoped Mt Day would consider the group’s plans.

“We’ve spoken to the club, and we have been encouraged to make contact with Philip Day and propose what we feel would be progress going forward,” he said.

“We are waiting on a response from him which we are told will be coming by the end of the week.

“In an ideal world, Philip would want to be more involved, and would work with the new group which includes people who have the club at heart, and who want to really get Carlisle United into the community with everyone pulling in the same direction.”

The News & Star has invited EWM to comment.

The involvement of former United midfielder and media pundit Lumsdon, and Skinner – who was previously chairman of doomed Carlisle non-league outfit Celtic Nation – was revealed on Saturday morning.

The group have said they want to “help” the club. The financial side of any potential deal has not been disclosed.

None of the businesspeople behind the plan, or its details, have yet been confirmed, with United also not commenting on the specifics of the approach.

Fans’ trust CUOSC say they were not even aware of the approach.

United did not speak about the approach specifically, but did confirm that they had been contacted by more than one interested party recently.

A Blues spokesman said: “As covered in the recent Carlisle United Supporters’ Groups [CUSG) meeting at the beginning of November, chief executive Nigel Clibbens confirmed that he had met with an investment broker, who was representing potentially interested parties, and that other directors have been contacted by two separate other parties, but no interest has progressed on any of them so far.

“He went on to describe it as ‘at best these were ‘tentative enquiries’. There is nothing further to add at this stage.”

Supporters’ trust CUOSC, who own 25.4 per cent of United’s holdings company, said they had been unaware of this particular interest.

In a statement they said: “CUOSC have a seat on the Holdings board and shares in the club. We are always prepared to speak to anyone with the interests of the club at heart. But we have heard nothing of this approach.”

It was recently confirmed by United that they are no longer in debt to any of their owners, including Andrew Jenkins, with loans now converted into shares in the club.

News of the approach come as the search continues for a new manager at the League Two club. Steven Pressley was sacked last week after United lost 3-1 to Morecambe in the Football League Trophy.

The Cumbrians lost 2-1 at Port Vale at the weekend under caretaker boss Gavin Skelton.