NEW signing Martin Aspinwall has been impressed with his first impressions of life at Barrow Raiders.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed his first few training sessions with his new team-mates and cannot wait for the League One season to get under way. It is the first time the former Super League star has worked with coach Paul Crarey and he feels the coach’s passion for the game has a huge impact on the squad.

Aspinwall’s move to Barrow came about partly due to the influence of new club skipper Oliver Wilkes, the first major signing to arrive at Craven Park in the close season. It was Wilkes who alerted Crarey to Aspinwall’s potential availability, having played alongside him at Leigh.

One time Super League player Aspinwall is due to arrive in Furness with his family, wife Danielle and one-year-old son Solomon, from Wigan next week, and they will live in Dalton.

He is also hoping to start work at around the same time at RfM Chartered Accountants as a trainee accountant.

The no-nonsense forward has signed a one-year contact at Craven Park, with the option for a second season. Following his move last month and after getting to know the Raiders players, he said: “I am enjoying it, training has been good, we have been doing quite a lot of running, a lot of fitness.

“We have signed a few experienced players, myself, Ollie and Ryan Fieldhouse to add to probably quite a young squad so maybe they need a bit of experience just to guide them in games. I think we have got quite a good, balanced squad and I think we should do quite well next year.”

“It is the first time I have met him,” Aspinwall said of Crarey. “I have been impressed with him, he is very knowledgeable and he’s a good bloke. He’s been really helpful to me. Paul is very passionate, he loves the game and that comes across, so I am looking forward to working with him.

“He has gone out of his way to make it easy for me to move over here, he has given me a lot of information and advice, so I can’t thank him enough for that. Hopefully I can repay that with my performances.”

He added: “We have been made to feel very welcome by everybody, all the backroom staff, the board. It is a big move for us, but everyone has really helped us and made us feel at ease. It is a new start for us all.

“I have had a look at the fixtures, and we have got quite a tough start. But we will be looking to try and get in that top five and try and cement a place there and see what happens after that, but we need a good start.

“I think last year there were games we could have won, they were close and we lost by a few points, so maybe we can turn that round a bit.”

Fans will be able to meet Aspinwall and the bulk of the Raiders squad at tomorrow night’s kit launch night at the Central Club, from 7pm. It was hoped the kit would be on show, and although there has been a hitch in production fans will still be able to view and buy it on the night at a special price. The strip will be available before Christmas.

Barrow’s name goes into the hat for the first round of the 2016 iPro Sport Cup tonight. The draw will be broadcast live from 6.45pm and fans can listen to it via the BBC iPlayer by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewcastle

l Askam are seeking a first team coach for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Interested candidates should forward their CV to Russ Walker at ru55wkr@gmail.com. The closing date is next Thursday, December 3.