It’s all down to opinions, the factor that drives thousands of conversations on football.
Selecting the 10 greatest players in any given club’s history is hardly likely to be duplicated, especially when being assessed by the older fans.
Any assessments will be scrutinised by supporters of all ages and inevitably they will seize on the stars who are missed off any list.
So it is with respected football writer Gary Hutchinson, the founder and editor-in-chief of The Real EFL, which he launched in 2018 to offer dedicated coverage of the English Football League.
Hughie McIlmoyle, who has a statue in his honour outside Brunton Park, had three different spells with the club.
In total he played 174 games for the Blues and scored 76 goals. Of those, 44 came in his first stay from 77 games.
That scoring record, helping United win promotion from Division Four, earned him a move to Wolves.
He had been a young FA Cup finalist for Leicester, was regarded as one of Scotland’s best uncapped centre-forwards and is immortalised with that statue outside Carlisle’s ground.
Hutchinson’s top 10 should spark debate among the United faithful with not only McIlmoyle missing but the likes of Alan Ross, Ivor Broadis, Willie Carlin, Peter McConnell, George McVitie and Hughie Neil.
Here’s his pick:
10. Jon Mellish (2019–2025)
9. Bobby Parker (1974–1984)
8. Dean Walling (1991–1997)
7. Peter Beardsley (1978–1982)
6. Jimmy Glass (1999)
5. Stan Bowles (1971–1972)
4. Tony Caig (1990–1999)
3. David Reeves (1993–1996)
2. Peter Murphy (2001–2013)
1. Chris Balderstone 1965–1975)
Let the debate begin! You can read Gary’s full story here: https://therealefl.co.uk/2025/08/04/all-time-top-ten-carlisle-united-legends/
