Carlisle United 'would welcome' approach by Jay-Z

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The chairman of Carlisle United, Andrew Jenkins, has said he would "welcome an approach" by rap star Jay-Z to buy the club.

The music mogul's publicist confirmed to BBC Radio Cumbria that he is thinking of moving into the football business.

Mr Jenkins, chairman of the League One side and avid hip-hop fan, said he "is bustin’ and pumped to the max at the thought of a homie like Jay-Z coming north-west-side and he would willingly fly to New York to meet him to discuss a purchase, if Carlisle Airport ever started making trans-Atlantic flights".

Jay-Z, reportedly worth £360m, held talks over investing in the club during a visit to Wetheriggs Pottery earlier this month. It’s thought that his wife, mega star Beyonce, fell in love with the warm people of Cumbria. In an article in last month’s Vogue, she commented on the ‘welcoming and multi-cultural mindset of the Cumbrian people’. She went on, ‘I was born and raised in New York, but that place is nothing compared with places like Cleator Moor and Apsatria. It’s really opened my eyes.’ It’s also thought the couple have invested in a cottage near Shap.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott was also very excited about the news, saying, ‘I don’t know a lot about hip-hop or hop-hip or whatever, I’m more of a Gilbert and Sullivan fan myself. But as long as he’s honest and shows some endeavour, then I’m sure he’ll do terrific for the club.’ He went on to ask, ‘Can he play up front?’ at which point Richard Offiong was seen to leave the room.

And MP Eric Martlew even joined the chorus of approval last night, saying ‘Carlisle has long been a hotbed of black music and this just underlines its place where some of its biggest stars can come and feel at home. To have people like Jay-Z coming and investing in the area doesn’t come as a surprise to me.’

Carlisle are currently eleventh in League One, a lofty position that some fans still find hard to swallow.’

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