Rob Clarkson says he has seen no change in the Piataks’ long-term vision for and commitment to Carlisle United.

The Blues, under their American owners, are fighting to stay in the EFL after a second miserable season in succession.

But sporting director Clarkson says United’s struggles on the pitch has not affected the family’s determination to build a better future for the Brunton Park club.

Asked by the News & Star for an insight into the Piataks’ current feelings about the short and long-term, Clarkson said: “Short-term – just very much focused on the next 15 games, and trying to support myself and Mark [Hughes, head coach] in any way that they can in terms of getting us away from where we are.

“Longer-term…the guys have only ever said about this as a long-term vision.

“They love the area, they love the club, so in 15 years' time they want to sit back and say, ‘We built this and we created this for the people of Cumbria’.

“I don't see that changing, certainly from the conversations I've had with them.” Owner and chairman Tom Piatak also last night underlined their commitment in an official club interview.

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It was revealed last week that the Piataks had put another £2m into United amid major infrastructure developments at Brunton Park and their backing for the football operations at the club.

Since their takeover in November 2023, some £6.8m has been invested into the club as equity, according to CUFC Holdings filings with Companies House.

Yet this has not yet come in tandem with success on the pitch, the Blues now at serious risk of a second consecutive relegation into non-league.

Another aspect the Piataks have long been set on is establishing a certain “style of play” for the Blues.

This, though, has attracted plenty of criticism this season as the Mike Williamson reign left United adrift at the bottom of League Two.

Clarkson says style of play remains a fundamental long-term aim, but he is not dictating style to Mark Hughes (Image: Richard Parkes)

Upon Williamson’s removal and Hughes’ appointment, Clarkson said the club did not want to “go away from the style of play” they wanted.

Asked why this remained so central when the need for results by any means was clearly so urgent, Clarkson said: “I think style of play is a long-term vision. Naturally, at this moment in time, all that matters is getting results on a Saturday.

“So, I'm not saying to Mark, ‘You have to do this, you have to do that..’

“It's up to Mark how he wants to play. With my knowledge of Mark, I know that he does want to play some good football, as we've seen.

“But he wants to play more in the opposition half. That's definitely been a change in terms of his method. I think we certainly saw that [against Colchester United] in the second half, in terms of front-foot playing in the opposition half. And on another day, we win the game.

“You’re right in that, at the moment, the key thing is just winning and getting out from the position we're in. Longer term, we do want to have an exciting style of play that fans want to come and watch.

“But again, my thing is I want to build a team and a way of playing that Carlisle fans want. And want to come and watch and want to be excited about. And I'm sure that we will do that.”

LISTEN TO OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH ROB CLARKSON HERE