Son of former Carlisle United goalkeeper and coach steps up

Roman Caig, son of former Blues keeper and coach Tony, stepped up to first-team duties at Brunton Park on Saturday.

Caig junior, lead academy goalkeeping coach at United, was asked to take the keepers' warm-up on Saturday with senior goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins serving the second game of a two-match touchline ban.

He put Blues No1 Tomas Holy through his paces in a warm-up which also involved sub keeper Jokull Andresson and third-choice teenager Gabe Breeze, ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient.

Roman Caig oversees Tomas Holy's warm-up (Image: Ben Holmes)

The Warwick Road End goalmouth is familiar to the Caigs after Tony's long spell as United's No1 followed by a coaching stint at the club.

Caig senior, who is now head of academy goalkeeping at Newcastle United, came through Carlisle's youth ranks to star for the first team in the 1990s.

The Cleator Moor star was United's No1 from 1994 to 1999, spells which included two promotions and two Wembley appearances, and later returned as their keeper coach under Greg Abbott.

Caig's spell also saw him in joint caretaker charge alongside Paul Thirlwell after the sacking of Graham Kavanagh in 2014.

Roman Caig has been involved with United's academy for the last two years, having previously coached at Annan Athletic and Kendal Town, as well as with Sells Pro Training and his own coaching company.

Timmins will be back in the dugout for Carlisle's next game - the trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.

The experienced coach was banned from the touchline and fined £750 after being charged with using insulting/abusive language at match officials following the Blues' 1-1 draw with Peterborough United earlier this month.

“Dave made a mistake, he let his emotions get the better of him and he has to take it on the chin, said Simpson of Timmins' punishment.