Last updated at 22:27, Friday, 21 September 2012

GOAL-HUNTING Sean McConville has revealed he turned down a football life in Malta to sign for Barrow AFC.

PLANS: Sean McConville

The 23-year-old left Stockport County by mutual consent on the eve of this season and says he was made an offer by Floriana FC, the Maltese club recently taken over by Stephen Vaughan and managed by ex-Liverpool and England defender Mark Wright.

Free agent McConville, an attacking midfielder/forward with a proven eye for goal, instead joined the Bluebirds on an initial one-month contract last week and made his debut as a substitute in the 3-0 home defeat against Blue Square Bet Premier table-toppers Newport County.

The former Liverpool Academy and Accrington Stanley ace could now be in line to make his first start when Barrow play Ebbsfleet United in a bottom-four clash in Kent tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

“I could have gone over to Malta for the year and signed for a team out there but I have a three-year-old daughter, Amelia, and another little girl due around Christmas, so I couldn’t really do it,” he said. “My girlfriend, Jenna, didn’t want to move out there.

“It was tempting. I met up with the manager, Mark Wright, and he put an offer down but I couldn’t go out there.”

He added: “I’ve settled in really quickly at Barrow.

“I was in training seven days before I signed so I could get to know the lads and stuff.

“They are a good bunch and the gaffer is brilliant.

“I know he (Dave Bayliss) tried to sign me in the summer on a loan deal when I was at Stockport. That nearly happened but then it fell through at the last minute.

“I knew he (Bayliss) was a manager that liked me and I like what he has done over the time he has been at Barrow.”

McConville, who had a loan spell at Rochdale towards the end of last season, can play in a number of positions. Asked which was his favoured role, he said: “I don’t mind playing in a front three or off like a targetman, a number 10, and I can also play out wide.

“I’m quite versatile, so hopefully that can help the manager.”

He added: “I’m hard-working and like to score goals. I scored 14 goals from midfield for Accrington in League Two the season before last and was the highest scoring midfielder in that league, which was a big achievement.

“I went to Stockport last season but it didn’t really work out and I fell out with the manager, Jim Gannon.

“I just think being at Barrow, and a club so grounded, that I can kick my career on again.”

First published at 16:24, Friday, 21 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk