Coach Jake Simpson has returned to football just days after his Carlisle United exit - as a player.

And the former Blues head of performance marked his return to the pitch in some style.

Simpson, who left Brunton Park following the departure of his father, manager Paul, has signed for Carlisle City.

He made his debut for the Northern League Division One side on Saturday - and scored a superb goal to help City to an impressive home victory.

Manager Dan Kirkup said Simpson, 33, had asked if he could train with the City squad to help stay fit.

But the former United coach impressed so much in last Thursday's session that Kirkup offered Simpson the chance to sign.

He agreed - and came off the bench to make his mark on his debut in City's 3-2 victory over Blyth Town.

Simpson came off the bench for the last 25 minutes, and was soon on the scoresheet, firing home an impressive strike from outside the area to put City 2-1 up in the 77th minute.

They went on to claim a 3-2 victory over their high-flying opponents with Callum Birdsall getting both City's other goals.

Before moving into coaching Simpson was a promising young player who was on Carlisle United and Blackburn Rovers' books before following his father to Shrewsbury Town.

He made 20 appearances for the Shrews between 2009 and 2010, then made a further 21 outings for Stockport County, again a period when his father Paul was the Hatters boss.

Simpson's previous playing career included spells at Workington Reds (Image: Tom Kay)

Simpson jnr later had spells at Workington Reds, Lancaster City and Celtic Nation as he made the transition into fitness coaching.

He spent time on United's staff before moving to Chesterfield and has since worked at AFC Fylde, Hartlepool United and Stockport County before heading back to Carlisle last September to work under his father again.

He was one of three members of Simpson snr's backroom team to leave Brunton Park last weekend, with assistant managers Gavin Skelton and Billy Barr also departing, and rehab coach Geoff Haugh also subsequently leaving the Blues.

United owner Tom Piatak said the decision to dispense with both Simpsons plus Skelton and Barr was because they were the "key leadership" team on the football side of United.

Saturday's victory for City over third-placed Blyth put them 12th in Northern League Division One. Kirkup's side are on home soil again on Tuesday night when they take on Birtley Town at Gillford Park.