Pictured: former Carlisle United goal hero back at Brunton Park

What Carlisle United could have gone with a goalscorer like him this season...

Karl Hawley, whose superb finishing fuelled their first successes under Paul Simpson, was back at Brunton Park on Saturday.

The top scorer in United's 2005/06 League Two title-winning team was the Cumbrians' guest at the game against Wycombe Wanderers.

Hawley took part in a Q&A session in the Kingmoor Park Legends Lounge and toured other bars at the ground on his return.

He also caught up with old team-mates and colleagues such as Chris Lumsdon, Billy Barr, Geoff Haugh and Simpson ahead of the game.

The 42-year-old's return revived memories of his prolific time in a blue shirt.

Hawley catches up with former Blues team-mate Chris Lumsdon before the Wycombe game (Image: Barbara Abbott)

After joining from Walsall at the start of United's 2004/05 Conference season, the man nicknamed 'the Hitman' scored 13 goals as the Blues, under Simpson, returned to the Football League through the play-offs.

The following campaign back in the fourth tier then saw Hawley hit stunning form.

He plundered 26 goals as Carlisle swept to the League Two title, including back-to-back hat-tricks in games against Stockport County and Torquay United.

Hawley hit 26 goals in a memorable 2005/06 season (Image: News & Star)

He also memorably struck the goal at Mansfield Town which earned a 1-1 draw that confirmed promotion.

It took until Kristian Dennis in 2022/23 for another Blues player to pass the 20-goal mark since Hawley's feat.

He went on to score 12 goals in the following League One campaign under Neil McDonald.

In total Hawley's goals tally was 51 from 137 appearances.

He went on to play for Preston North End, Northampton Town, Colchester United, Notts County, Crawley Town, Scunthorpe United, Torquay United, Alfreton Town, Stourbridge United and Boston United, while he had coaching spells at Mansfield and Boston.