Carlisle United are the second best club in the country for fan engagement, according to a new study.

The Blues' efforts in reaching out to supporters in the 2019/20 campaign sees them figure highly in the Think Fan Engagement Index.

Only Exeter City out of the 91 clubs from the Premier League down to League Two scored highly than the Cumbrians last season.

It is an improvement on last year's fourth-placed finish for United.

The study ranks clubs in areas such as dialogue, governance and transparency.

It is understood that Carlisle earned credit for aspects such as their regular supporters' group meetings, the detail provided in their accounts, the online updates provided by chief executive Nigel Clibbens, the club having two supporters' trust (CUOSC) representatives on their boards and the work of the Blues' media department.

It is those such aspects which have enabled United to score highly in spite of the club's owners seldom giving interviews or the Blues' recent financial backers, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, rarely speaking about their involvement at Brunton Park.

Commenting on Twitter about their second-placed finish, the Blues said: "From the club to Carlisle United Supporters Groups to CUOSC to you, the fans - we can all be proud of this.

"We set standards before, during and after the pandemic and we update regularly as much and as often as we can. That will continue."

Clibbens described the second-placed outcome as "brilliant".

The top four clubs in the Fan Engagement Index were all from League Two, with Carlisle edging ahead of Cambridge and Newport.

The ratings saw Exeter score 195 overall, comprised of 60 on dialogue, 80 on governance and 55 on transparency.

Carlisle's overall score of 175 included a score of 75 on dialogue - one of the highest scores in the country - 65 on governance and 35 on transparency.

Only Championship club Reading were rated better than the Blues in terms of dialogue, although eight were rated better in terms of transparency.

The contrast with those rated badly in all departments was stark, with Swindon Town coming bottom of the table for the 2019/20 season.

The Robins, owned by Lee Power, were given zero scores for dialogue and transparency and only 10 for governance as they were ranked 91st.

Macclesfield Town, who were relegated last season and subsequently went bust - since reforming as Macclesfield FC - also scored poorly.

Big-spending Salford City came fifth bottom in the rankings.

In a statement, those behind the survey pointed out that the country's most powerful clubs - including those top-flight clubs who recently attempted to join a controversial new European Super League - were "left in the shade" by smaller clubs when it comes to fan engagement.

"It's clear that the leadership of the so-called Big Six are paying lip service to Fan Engagement," they commented.

"None of them perform well in the final table. Chelsea’s announcement yesterday that supporter representation at board meetings will happen is very welcome, but we await the detail.

"All six have forms of ‘structured dialogue’ – Arsenal Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Liverpool have what are known as ‘Fans Parliaments’, whilst Spurs have a structured relationship with their supporters’ trust.

"Yet none of them consulted these or their supporters’ groups before announcing their participation in the calamitous Super League proposals [or before they tried to force through ‘Project Big Picture’ in late 2020]."

Leicester, Norwich and Everton performed the best out of 2019/20's top-flight clubs.

The owner of Think Fan Engagement, Kevin Rye - former Head of Policy and PR at Supporters Direct - said: “The Index provides a steer as to how the game might prevent things like the ill-fated Super League proposals from seeing the light of day again, and ensuring clubs are better run more generally.

"It’s all too easy to say we might want something like a ‘German 50%+1’ model as a solution. What the Index does is actually shine a light on the values, structures and cultures that might actually deliver a fan-centred future in English football.

“As we emerge from Covid, the voice of fans is going to be critical. Some clubs understand this, as you can see from the results. But many haven’t paid enough attention, preferring to focus on pushing out content, social media bantz or PR gimmicks.

"The lesson from the Fan Engagement Index 2019/2020: All of those who do well understand that it’s a balance between structure and culture.”

The first Fan Engagement Index was published for the 2018/2019 season, with the latest survey seeing clubs asked for their comments on the data collected. Some 42 clubs provided new information, United among them.

Clibbens, speaking on the club website, added: “Working together with our fans makes the club better - it’s that simple. It’s the right thing to do.

“It’s very pleasing to be right at the top of this table. It shows the work we do to engage with our fans and the processes we have in place are amongst best practice.

“It may surprise a few people, but it shows what can be achieved. It is something to be proud of. I hope it helps fans to understand the fantastic work that goes on in many clubs.”

Clibbens said United's engagement with fans helped to form decisions whether at operational or boardroom level.

“We don’t get everything right, there is no sense of complacency and we are constantly looking to improve," he added.

“Fan engagement has to be a two-way exchange, and it must be personal and genuine. It’s a real commitment and belief from within the club – if you try and fake it and fool fans you will be found out very quickly.

“I have been committed to this approach since I came into the club and it has been essential to resolving issues and our progressing of our important off-the-field activities and actions.

"We are grateful to the many fans who work with us in such a positive way to make a difference.”