“You have to have a short memory as a footballer,” says Aaron Hayden. “Not everyone remembers everything. You have to always think about the next game.”
This is how the returning Carlisle United defender prefers to be: looking forward, not back. Hayden has returned for a second spell at Brunton Park after an eventful, successful and indeed surreal three years at Wrexham.
Hayden’s memory bank is full of unforgettable times with the Welsh club under their Hollywood owners: two promotions, a goal against Manchester United in the USA, lots of glitter and glamour.
Yet this is not a time for waxing lyrical about all that. “It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and I’m grateful that I was there, but I’m here now and that’s what it’s about,” Hayden says.
The 27-year-old does, at least, grant himself a smile when considering how he has gone from one club run by wealthy transatlantic folks to another: Reynolds and McElhenney to the Piataks.
“I keep playing for clubs with American owners,” he laughs. “I don't know what's going on, man! There's a trend appearing.
“It's really good to have the owners here. You can see that they've got keen interest. I'm looking forward to meeting them myself.”
Before Wrexham, Hayden was a Carlisle player from 2019 to 2021, and an increasingly influential and popular one. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man, after a successful trial under Steven Pressley, eventually established himself in United’s defence under Chris Beech and become known for his aerial prowess, athletic rearguard play and focused character.
When it grew clear that he’d be leaving the Racecourse Ground this summer, the pull of Carlisle’s interest was too strong for Hayden to resist. It is much more, though, than a nostalgia trip. “My first spell here was an amazing time. It started my career off, really. But that wasn't the reason why I came back.
“There's a plan here, a project that the owners have, and this club is something that everyone in the city gets behind.
“So what tipped my decision was not only that I love the place, it’s that I’ve seen the direction the club wants to go in. The new owners have a vision and a plan that they want to put into place, and it kind of aligns with what I want to achieve right now.
“So, I wanted a new challenge and I've got one, and I'm ready to take it on.”
Hayden’s eagerness for that challenge comes with a keenness to point out how ready he is for it on a physical level. His appearances tally in 2023/24 came to just 18. This was not, he stresses, the result of an injury-strewn campaign.
“I'm in the best shape I've ever been in, to be honest,” he says. “There's a bit of a stigma that I was injured a lot last season, but I actually wasn't.
“I was actually available for quite a lot, but just never played. The manager picks a team and whatever team he decides to pick plays.
“I'm just hungry, ready to get on the pitch and run as hard as I can for these fans.”
Hayden says “it feels really good to be back home” and reacquainted with United, Brunton Park and fans who always respected him. “It was in the pipeline for quite a while, to be honest. I obviously kept it quiet, but it was always something I wanted to do. When I saw all my options, I knew that this was the one that I wanted.”
The defender’s attributes may be little secret to United fans but Hayden says he is more rounded than the player who left Cumbria at the start of the 2021/22 season.
“Obviously, I'm the same player I was before, but a bit better at doing things, more experienced. I see the game a bit differently now,” he says.
“Since leaving, I've learnt a lot from a few experienced defenders I've played with, so my defensive side of the game and understanding is much better.
“I’d say I’m more calm, and I'd probably say more of a leader now. Beforehand I was always just trying to look after my game, but now it's like I'm more worried about what everyone else is doing.”
Hayden has no reservation about the idea of being a front man at United in this spell. “When I spoke to the management, they said it's a bit of what they brought me here for – to provide a bit of leadership, whether that be by example or with my voice,” he says.
“It's important that we have leaders to change the ethos here.”
That is a reference to United’s struggles in 2023/24 as they were relegated back down from League One, a year after their promotion crescendo. While the Blues were yo-yoing, Hayden and Wrexham were winning two promotions, from the National League up to League One.
The defender wants more of those experiences. “It gives you a hunger, man. You want it more. Winning is a habit. It's addictive and it's really what I want to replicate here.
“I’ve come here for promotion. I say proudly in my chest that I need to get promoted with the team. Obviously, I'm not going to do that by myself. There's 20-plus other players that have got to share the same vision.”
Whilst impressing on the pitch, Hayden also attracted compliments in his first spell at Carlisle for his contributions in the community. When wintry weather struck the area of the city where he lived, a common sight was of the defender with his shovel, clearing snow and ice from paths and pavements to help elderly residents.
He responds modestly when this is mentioned. “That's something I was never trying to do for clout. That's just me and my personality. I love helping people. I get a buzz off helping people in any way that can be, whether that's by doing good for this club, or by clearing snow so someone doesn't fall.
“That's how I am, I’m a protector and a leader. That's just my personality. You’ll get more of that now, I'm sure. I'll try and do even more for the community this time around.
“I'm more mature. I'm more selfless now.”
Hayden is speaking in the baking sun on the day United launch their new kits and the 2024/25 fixtures arrive. It is more than a month until that campaign begins but the journey there always appears to speed up around this time.
“It feels like football's coming back now,” he says. “The fixtures are out, everyone can start getting their calendars out and pencilling things in. Everyone's starting to get excited for August 10 and then for the rest of the season.
“Pre-season is where you put the hard work. This is where you put the platforms and foundations in for having a successful season. So I'm looking forward to it very much.”
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