Last updated at 10:05, Friday, 13 July 2012

ASSISTANT manager Ashley Hoskin is loving life since his arrival at Barrow AFC, writes DAVID PICKTHALL.

The former Burnley development and reserve team coach, who played 60 times for Barrow between 1995 and 1996, joined the Bluebirds towards the end of the 2011/12 campaign following the departure of co-manager Darren Sheridan.

Hoskin has taken a hands-on role with training and cannot wait for the new Blue Square Premier season to start.

“I’m absolutely loving it,” said Hoskin following Barrow’s 2-0 friendly win over a Furness Select XI at Furness Building Society Stadium on Saturday.

“I played here many years ago and I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the club and to be back working with Dave (manager Dave Bayliss) and the squad, now they are full-time, it’s fantastic.”

Hoskin left Burnley when Eddie Howe took over as manager at Turf Moor in January last year and brought in his own coaching team.

But he holds no grudges and has retained a good relationship with the Championship club which could continue to prove beneficial for Barrow.

“Eddie Howe came in and football is football,” said Hoskin. “He changed all the staff, but it was a case of move on, get on with it.

“We’ve stayed good friends and we are very, very close with Burnley, actually, and they are going to allow us to get some players in this year if we need to.”

First published at 16:17, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk