The youth team player came off the bench for his first senior outing in United’s FA Cup victory over Tamworth.

Rafferty’s cameo in the 2-1 victory came half a century after his grandfather - 1970s goalscoring hero Billy Rafferty - first played for the club.

And United’s head coach Elliot said the young prospect had earned every bit of his big day.

Rafferty on the attack for Carlisle against Tamworth (Image: Ben Holmes)

“He’s been an absolute credit,” Elliot told the News & Star. “He's been my favourite since pre-season.

“I joke that he's on a six-year deal already and it might have gone up to seven today…

“The legacy is brilliant. I know his family would be really proud because of the legacy with his grandad.

“But he deserves it. He genuinely deserves to be on the pitch. There was nothing in terms of trying to be sentimental.

Billy and Elaine Rafferty pictured in 2014 with grandchildren Harry, Aimee, Lauren, Oliver - and five-year-old Will, front right (Image: DAVID HOLLINS)

“Will deserves to be on the pitch and he was a credit when he came on. He affected the game really well.

“He's a credit to the academy and the work that [coaches] [Mark] Birch and Devs [Jamie Devitt] do.

“He’s going to have a bright future. He's just got to get him some good meals into him…”

Rafferty had first made the senior bench last month for United’s trip to Eastleigh.

This time he was called upon for the closing stages of the game as he came on to replace United’s goalscorer Regan Linney.

Rafferty, on the right of Carlisle’s attack, was positive on the ball during his cameo and tested Tamworth with a shot as United secured victory in the fourth round qualifying tie.