JOINT Barrow Raiders vice-captain Liam Campbell and powerful packman Anthony Bate have inked deals for 2016.

The move has been welcomed by the club, who earlier this week announced the capture of former BARLA Great Britain amateur international Adam Nicholson.

Livewire half-back Campbell was mulling over his decision to sign following the arrival of his daughter, Erin last month. He has taken on a new post as head of year at Whitehaven academy.

The 29-year-old was hoping to receive a sympathetic ear from the Raiders board regarding his training schedule and they have listened to his plea.

Crarey is delighted to have Campbell on board in what could be his final season before he considers retiring.

He said: “It is great news for the fans because he gives everything he has got. He is great to have around the place and is a very honest kid.

“He is an inspiration at training, is very tough, sometimes too tough for his own good. He is a great lad and is so conscientious about the club and the team.

“He wasn’t going to stay and we talked about it midway through the season that it would be his last year. We had many a conversation about giving it another go and he phoned me he said ‘look, if you are staying, I’ll stay’. 

"He’s a great kid. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

Regarding the training situation, Crarey added: “Maybe it will be his last year, so he is going to help us out and try and have a big year for us and we will try and work round, like we have with other people.”

Joint-director of rugby Mike Sunderland said: “There was a little bit of leeway.

"Obviously we can’t give the players everything they want, but I think we have come to a good compromise that both parties are happy with.

"Cresta is happy, that’s the main thing, and Liam obviously has to be happy, otherwise he wouldn’t have signed.

“I think we have been sympathetic and Liam has not been unreasonable in his requests, so we are very happy to oblige.

“He brings a lot of confidence to the team I think he is a good leader on the park.”

Bate went before a Rugby Football League match review panel on Tuesday, where he received a six-match ban after admitting ‘contrary conduct ’ for an off the field incident at York following his dismissal during the final game of the regular season.

The ban comes into effect at the start of the season. He was also fined £75 for the grade E offence.

The 23-year-old, who signed on the day of the York clash, has been offered a job by John Coward, of Advanced Roofing Supplies, and - like Joe Bullock, who agreed a two-year deal, and Josh Ward, in the second year of his contract - will move into the area.

Crarey said of Bate: “ I think he is a great player, he has got genuine grunt, which is lacking in modern-day games.

“He comes on and he is very aggressive, probably if he was taller he would be playing Super League, he is that good. He plays through the middle.

“He is a big part of what we do and he can actually change a game when he comes on the way he plays.

"He plays the most offloads and passes of any player in the team, including the halves."

Sunderland said: “We think Anthony is a very strong forward, he leads with a passion. Cresta is impressed with him, he is one of his lead men and I believe he has got a good future here.”

Raiders winger Shane Toal is set to make his senior international debut for Scotland, who defend the European Championship this autumn.

The rising star has been named in coach Steve McCormack's squad - along with Barrow-born Workington winger or full-back Brett Carter - having featured for Scotland at under-19s level.

Crarey said: “He has had a big year for us. He certainly is a talent and has got a big future in the game.”

Scotland face Wales, Ireland and France in the European Championships, which start on October 16.