Heroes from different Carlisle United eras were back at Brunton Park on Saturday.

Dave McKellar, one of the Blues' finest goalkeepers, was one of the club's special guests for the Derby County game.

And he was joined by former midfielder and promotion and Wembley-winning captain Steve Hayward back at his old stomping ground.

The duo - who also both played for Saturday's opponents - were guests in the club's bars and lounges before the game before being presented to supporters during the half-time interval.

For 67-year-old McKellar it was a return to the ground where he enjoyed two hugely respected spells in United's goal in the 1980s and early 1990s.

News and Star: Dave McKellar pictured during his playing days with UnitedDave McKellar pictured during his playing days with United (Image: News & Star)

The Scottish keeper initially joined United in 1983 and was an ever-present in the 1983/84 Division Two campaign when Bob Stokoe's Blues mounted a push to reach the top flight, eventually finishing seventh.

That season McKellar kept 19 league clean sheets - which remained a Blues record for a goalkeeper until Tomas Holy kept 20 last season.

After the 1984/85 season when McKellar remained United's regular No1, he moved on to Hibernian - but four years later rejoined the Cumbrians from Dunfermline Athletic.

News and Star: Dave McKellar applauds United's fans at the Derby gameDave McKellar applauds United's fans at the Derby game (Image: Ben Holmes)

McKellar regained his Blues No1 shirt for the second half of the 1988/89 Fourth Division season under Clive Middlemass, and was the last line of defence in 1989/90's doomed promotion push before he moved to Kilmarnock late in the campaign.

He made 151 league appearances for the club in his two spells.

Hayward was another popular figure back at United on Saturday following his influential spell at the club in the mid-1990s.

News and Star: Steve Hayward lifts the Auto-Windscreens Shield at Wembley in 1997Steve Hayward lifts the Auto-Windscreens Shield at Wembley in 1997 (Image: Jonathan Becker)

He joined from Derby for £100,000 in 1995 and played his part in United's Division Three title victory under Mick Wadsworth, as well as their run to the Auto-Windscreens Shield final.

The 52-year-old was part of the first Blues side to play at Wembley - and, two years later, was their matchwinner as they returned to the Twin Towers to lift the Shield.

Hayward, by now captain, scored the winning penalty against Colchester United as Carlisle won at the national stadium for the first time.

News and Star: Steve Hayward pictured at Brunton Park on SaturdaySteve Hayward pictured at Brunton Park on Saturday (Image: Barbara Abbott)

That season he also skippered Mervyn Day's side to 1996/97 Division Three promotion, before Hayward left for Fulham in 1997 after 90 league appearances.

He and McKellar are the latest in a series of former players who have been welcomed back to the club on matchdays in recent times.