Goalkeeper Tony Caig rejoined United as a player/coach in the summer of 2010, having spent the previous season as a coach on a part-time basis.

The Cleator Moor-born stopper began his career at United in 1990 after joining the club on a YTS contract.

He impressed at youth level and became a regular for the Reserve before receiving a call-up to the first-team squad in the 1992/93 season. He made his debut for the Blues against Halifax Town in October 1992, an appearance that at the time made him the club's youngest ever goalkeeper for a first team league fixture (since surpassed by Mark Gillespie).

Despite the arrival of experience goalkeepers Tony Elliot and Mervyn Day, he went on to establish himself as first choice keeper at the club over the next few seasons. The 1994/95 season saw Caig excel for the Blues as they won the Third Division title and reached Wembley for the first time in the Football League Trophy, only to be beaten by Second Division side Birmingham City thanks to a Golden Goal in extra time.

United were favourites to go up again the following season but after poor form and the depature of manager Mick Wadsworth to Norwich City halfway through the campaign, they were relegated back to the Third Division. Despite this, Caig continued to earn rave reviews and had cemented his place as United's number 1.

In 1997, he was ever-present as United won promotion back to the Second Division. He was also one of the stars as United made it to Wembley again in the Football League Trophy. This time the Blues ran out winners against Colchester and Caigy played a big part with two superb saves in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win after a 0-0 draw after extra-time.

United's stay in the Second Division was again brief as they went straight back down to the Third Division but Caig continued to dominate between the sticks.

The Blues struggled on their return to the fourth tier in 1998/99 though this was mostly down to a lack of goals, with the Blues having one of the meanest defences in the division that season.

With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Caig was keen to extend his deal but the club's ownership at the time was not willing to open talks. On transfer deadline day in 1999 the club accepted an offer from Blackpool for Caig and despite reiterating his desire to stay at Brunton Park, he left to join the Seasiders.

He went on to spend two seasons at Bloomfield Road, making 49 appearances for the Lancashire club. During that time he joined then Premier League side Charlton Athletic on-loan, teaming up with former Blues boss Mervyn Day who was assistant to Alan Curbishley at the Valley. He signed for the London club permanently and made one appearance before leaving in the summer.

His next move saw him go north of the border and join SPL side Hibernian. He made 14 appearances over two seasons before moving back to England and to Premier League club Newcastle United.

He spent three years at St James' Park but did not make a first team appearance, spending his time as an understudy to Shay Given and Steve Harper and also having a brief loan spell at Barnsley. Upon his contract expiring in the summer of 2006, Caig decided to move across the Atlantic and joined Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 2006 season saw Caigy help the Whitecaps win the USL First Division championship after defeating Rochester Raging Rhinos 2-0 in the play-offs final and keeping 11 clean sheets over the whole campaign.

In October 2007 Caig returned to the UK and signed for Gretna on amateur terms after a long protracted transfer saga. He made 7 appearances for the Raydale Park outfit before leaving the club in January 2008 to sign for MLS side Houston Dynamo.

He spent a season with the Texas-based side before returning again to England, this time joining Chesterfield on a short-term contract.

Caig left Saltergate in the summer of 2009 and a decade after originally leaving for Blackpool, made his return to United as goalkeeping coach. Keen to prolong his playing career as well as coaching, he also signed for Blue Square North side Workington, replacing Adam Collin who had left Borough Park to join the Blues.

His one season at Workington saw him pick up several Player of the Season awards and also named in the Blue Square North "Team of the Year". He was almost ever-present and helped the club reach the play-offs, only to lose out to Alfreton Town.

In the summer of 2010 Caig left Reds to join United on a full-time basis as a player/coach, acting as back-up to first choice Adam Collin.

His vast experience will prove valuble to United's goalkeepers from under 9's up to first-team level and as he showed during his time Workington, he is still capable of producing quality performances when called upon.

Under contract until the summer of 2012.

Tony is sponsored by West Cumbria Blues.

For more details on our Player and Coaching Staff sponsors for the 2011/12 season, click here.