Carlisle United fans raise a glass to Carlisle United legend Murphy in newly-named bar

And now fans can regularly raise a glass to Peter Murphy – after a bar at Brunton Park was named after the Blues legend.

Murphy was at the ground on Tuesday night to officially open the refurbished bar, which was previously named the Sporting Inn.

It follows an initiative by the Carlisle United supporters’ groups (CUSG).

The Sporting Inn has been renamed after United's longest-serving outfield player

Murphy is United’s record outfield appearance holder and scored two of the most famous goals in the club’s history – the Conference promotion play-off winner against Stevenage in 2005, and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy winner against Brentford against Wembley in 2011.

On Tuesday, the Irishman, who played for the club from 2001-13, went behind the bar that’s named after him and pulled a pint – of Murphy’s stout, of course.

United’s supporter liaison officer Simon Clarkson said the supporter groups were delighted the project had come to fruition.

Murphy meets fans in the newly-named bar, while some of his shirts from his long Blues career are displayed on the walls

He said it was a team effort which had also seen support from local businesses and the club itself.

It followed a poll of supporters to ask which Blues favourites they would like bars to be named after.

Murphy, the current Annan Athletic manager, featured highly in the voting.

Clarkson said: “It’s been planned for a long time but, like most things in life, got somewhat delayed because of Covid.

“It’s taken a bit of time but we’re delighted with how it’s all come together.”

The bar features a number of framed shirts from Murphy’s long Blues career.

Murphy pulls a pint of Murphy's stout in front of a display of highlights from his Carlisle career

Clarkson added: “A special mention should go to Makiko Brookes who, with her late husband Bob, sponsored Peter for several seasons and as part of that got a shirt at the end of each season.

“She felt it was the right time to have a bit of a sort through, and decided to kindly donate the shirts. It was a real pivotal moment in the project.”

Clarkson said Myke Nixon from Michael’s Framing and Picture Gallery, plus HH Reeds and Carlisle Glass, were among those to offer valuable help to the project.

He also thanked United’s supporters’ club London Branch for a funding contribution, and representatives from thecumbrians.net, who were formerly part of CUSG and helped in getting the project off the ground.

“It’s been a real team effort from fans, club, businesses and sponsors,” he added.

Murphy pictured in front of two of his shirts which were donated to the bar project

Murphy and his son Oscar were at Tuesday’s game, which saw his former Blues manager Paul Simpson steer the team to a 2-0 win over Rochdale in his first home game since rejoining the club.

Clarkson said: “Getting Murph pinned down to come and open the bar wasn’t easy because of his Annan commitments, but on Monday he texted me to say he was coming on Tuesday because he didn’t want to miss Simmo’s first home match.

Murphy and son Oscar - who was a day old when the United star scored his Wembley winner in 2011 - greet supporters at Tuesday's game

“Murphy was brilliant – such a good guy, amenable to everything, having photos taken with fans, and it was great that he had Oscar with him too.

Another bar at Brunton Park – the Sunset Suite – is also set to be named ‘the Glass Bar’ after United icon Jimmy Glass.

As for Murphy, it proved a good week for the 41-year-old, for the next day his Annan side recorded a 4-1 win over Albion Rovers to move up to second place in Scottish League Two.