Carlisle reject LMA Ward claim

Carlisle have rejected claims from the League Managers' Association that the club are trying to “avoid their legal liabilities” by insisting former manager John Ward resigned and was not dismissed.

The Cumbrians and Ward parted company last Monday following a run of 10 games without a win in Coca-Cola League One – including nine defeats – and immediately appointed assistant Greg Abbott as caretaker manager.

A statement issued by the LMA on Tuesday condemned the club’s alleged U-turn in claiming Ward had left the club by ’mutual consent’ and stated they were “very disappointed that Carlisle United, having clearly dismissed John Ward, is now seeking to claim that John resigned, simply to try and avoid their legal liabilities.”

However, the Brunton Park outfit has hit back at the LMA’s claims by insisting any contractual dispute should not be aired in public.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “We are surprised and disappointed that the LMA should issue a public statement at this particular stage about a matter which is still in the hands of the respective representatives of Carlisle United and John Ward.

“Carlisle United believe it is inappropriate and unhelpful for any one-sided opinions or supposed facts to be expressed publicly about contractual issues over a manager’s departure from a football club at a time when the outcome remains unresolved.

“We believe it is the correct course of action for the issue to remain private and for the details not to be revealed while negotiations are still in confidence, which is the case here.

“We would, however, like to stress that the club wholeheartedly rejects the LMA’s accusation that we were simply trying to ’avoid our legal liabilities’.”