WELL done Humphrey Dobie for highlighting the reasons for the dragged-out Tony Caig switch from Workington to Carlisle United.

Apparently Carlisle’s managing director John Nixon (pictured) has not been happy that Workington’s grievances have been aired in public via the newspapers and radio.

But what did he expect? United have taken far too long to come-up with what they owed the Reds for the last bit of transfer business they conducted.

Carlisle still owe £7,500 for Adam Collin and have baulked at any future sell-on clause, especially after he was linked to a move to fallen Premier League giants Portsmouth.

Reds and Carlisle officials had met-up in 2008 to discuss terms for the Collin deal and there were five people in the room when Workington chairman Dobie shook hands on a £10,000 fee plus sell-on.

The paperwork was to follow in a few days and Workington are still waiting for that – although they have subsequently received £2,500.

Elder statesman Dobie is of the old school where his word is his bond, but the same obviously does not apply to Carlisle United.

The Collin-Caig saga was aired at a Carlisle United forum in Whitehaven rugby league club attended by about 25 Blues fans tonight and Nixon, it appears, waffled in his response and could only say that he wouldn’t be keen to do any more business with the Reds.

Carlisle’s own elder statesman Andrew Jenkins clearly did not agree and expressed the view that the two clubs should work closely together in friendship as county neighbours.

There was always the possibility that the toys would come out of the Carlisle pram once the facts had been laid before the public, who will put their own interpretation on the news that United can’t afford to pay £7,500. They must be really struggling!

Darren Edmondson appears to have a good working relationship with his opposite number at Brunton Park, Greg Abbott, and it will be interesting to see if – when the need arises – Carlisle still loan out young players to the west Cumbrians.

Defender Tom Aldred was a huge success at Workington when he spent three months on loan and is preparing for an exciting new challenge with Watford. Strikers Ryan Bowman and Andy Cook have also spent time with the Reds.

Meanwhile, the Reds chairman has been at pains to point out that he was not wanting to stand in the way of Caig taking-up a full-time post at Carlisle. He has already wished him luck in the post of full-time goalkeeping coach, while he may also be used as second keeper on the bench.

Caig was an excellent signing last season, a very valued and popular member of the squad.

He goes with the best wishes of the club and the supporters, but it would have been only right and proper if Carlisle had done the decent thing and paid-up the £7,500 cash they still owed for Collin and Reds cancelling Caigy’s contract.

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