Pictured: Carlisle United title and Wembley hero returns

And Derek Mountfield was back on familiar ground on Saturday as he returned to Brunton Park.

The former Blues central defender was the Blues' special guest at the home clash with Stevenage.

Mountfield, 61, did a question-and-answer session in United's Legends Lounge before the game.

He also came onto the pitch to perform the half-time Golden Gamble draw and received a warm ovation from Blues fans.

And Mountfield, during his visit, also attended the official opening of United's memory garden near the East Stand, a ceremony involving many of the people involved in its creation, as well as club officials including Tom Piatak II, a member of the club's ownership family.

The garden also includes a bench in memory of much-missed coach David Wilkes, which was installed by United's former players' association.

Club officials and guests at the official opening of United's memory garden (Image: Barbara Abbott) 

Mountfield's return revived memories of his pivotal role in United's 1994/95 team that won the Division Three title and reached Wembley for the first time in the club's history under Mick Wadsworth.

Former Everton star Mountfield joined the Blues in the summer of 1994 after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He went on to form an outstanding centre-back partnership with Dean Walling as United won the fourth tier at a canter, and also played under the Twin Towers in the Auto-Windscreens Shield final.

Mountfield celebrates a goal for Carlisle in 1994 (Image: News & Star)

Mountfield played a vital part in the latter cup run, his goal in the northern final second leg at Rochdale proving crucial in allowing Wadsworth's men to see off a Dale comeback as United made history.

He started out at Tranmere Rovers and then, at Everton, won a string of honours including the First Division title, the FA Cup and the European Cup-Winners' Cup in a spell running from 1982 to 1988.

The England Under-21 international then moved on to Aston Villa for a three-year stint and then spent three years at Wolves.

Derek Mountfield's famous goal for Carlisle at Rochdale which sealed the Blues' first-ever Wembley appearance (Image: News & Star)

After playing his part in United's 1994/95 glory, the Blues under chairman Michael Knighton failed to retain the defender and he had a brief stint at Northampton Town before spending three years at Walsall, eventually ending his Football League days at Scarborough in 1998/99 - the season the Seadogs were relegated from the Football League thanks to Jimmy Glass's goal for Carlisle against Plymouth Argyle.

Mountfield, who later had a spell at Workington Reds and went on to manage Cork City, was previously back in Carlisle for 2021's 25-year reunion event for the 1994/95 heroes which was also a fundraiser in memory of Tony Hopper.