Last updated 16:01, Thursday, 23 October 2008

HE’S HERE: Full-back Gary Broadbent comes to Barrow after six years at Whitehaven

NEW signing Gary Broadbent just could not say no to the chance of playing for Barrow Raiders.

Barrovian through and through, the 31-year-old full-back signed on the dotted line at Craven Park earlier this month, fulfilling a long-term ambition to play for his hometown club.

And the former Whitehaven and Salford man is now relishing the chance of playing for the team he watched from the terraces as a child and who inspired him to take up the game in the first place.

“I could have stayed at Whitehaven, but if I don’t play for Barrow now, then I might end up not having played for my hometown club,” he said.

“I used to go and watch Barrow as a kid and thought ‘one day, I’d like to do that myself’.

“Playing for my hometown club is going to be something different.

“Being a local lad, wherever you are, you would like to play for your hometown club. I’m coming here in the latter part of my career and if I didn’t do it now, would I ever?”

Broadbent has had several chances to come to Raiders in the past, most recently last season.

But he was still under contract at the Recreation Ground then, while when offered a deal under then-coach Peter Roe four years ago he chose not to come – wisely he now feels given that the side won only one game all year in National League One.

Now though, he feels the situation at Barrow is hugely different.

“Now things have changed and moved on, there are other people involved, Des has done really well for the club, crowds are up,” he said.

“Des was telling me what the club’s plans are and what the targets are and that sold it for me.

“He was really keen, I was really impressed with the way things were going at the club and I wanted to be a part of it.

“Des and Dave have obviously sat down and looked at the targets that they want and they went out and made those signings straightaway, which I think was a good thing to do.

“It sends a statement and sets a precedent that they don’t just want to survive, but they want to compete in National League One.

“It’s a strong league and they obviously know that. They are looking for a few more to come in, but the signings they have made are quality and it has made other clubs stand up and pay attention.

“I know even Whitehaven people who I work with are saying that Barrow are looking to go well and that the signings they have made are really good and positive.

“Hopefully we can get off to a good start and it will be a good place to be with a good atmosphere.

“It all bodes well for the future.”

l The Barrow raiders AGM, for debenture holders only, will take place in the Raiders Bar tomorrow night, starting at 7.30pm.