ETERNAL optimist Paul Cox is remaining positive that Andy Cook will remain at Holker Street.

Cook scored twice to finish the season with 25 goals as Barrow AFC defeated Wrexham 2-0 on the last day of the National League season.

The striker then picked up two more player-of-the-year awards – from the National Supporters’ Club and the Bluebirds Supporters Trust – as fans showed their appreciation for his efforts.

Cox and owner Paul Casson have both spoken with the striker – with an announcement on his future expected in the coming days – and Cox is staying hopeful.

“I love the kid to bits,” he said. “I’m the eternal optimist – the glass is always half-full. I’d love to say that Andy Cook would love to sign for this football club again.

“I think what’s doing him from my personal conversations with him – I’m hoping he wouldn’t mind me talking about them – is that he has a desire to play in the Football League. You can’t have a dig at him for that, because we all want to do it at the highest level. We all want to be successful.

“I’ve told him to jump on board with us here and get on now. You can see that the fans love him to bits and the whole football club wants him to stay.

“Andy Cook has got to make the right decision for the right reasons and I’m hoping that decision comes with signing a contract with Barrow.

Carlisle United manager Keith Curle came out ahead of the Wrexham game and expressed his interest in Cook should he decide not to remain at Barrow.

Cox recognised he would not be the only Football League manager with an eye on his talented striker, and added: “The Carlisle boss will be one of a number of people interested. Just because Keith has mentioned it, for every Keith Curle, there will be another 10 waiting around the corner at all different levels.

“We’re going to work extremely hard to try and keep him. He’s a lovely kid. He’s an absolute dream to work with – he’s a bit dozy at times, but I think I like that about him – and he makes me smile. That’s not just because he comes in every morning and wants to play football, but he also plays like it’s his last game every week.

“I think I can improve him, I think I can get more out of him and I think he would be a huge piece of the jigsaw puzzle to take this club forward.”