DARREN Edmondson’s confidence that Barrow AFC can compete in the top half of the National League table has not wavered with the big 2015/16 kick-off just over two weeks away.

The Bluebirds boss is close to completing his initial squad for the new season with young Barrovian duo Elliot Newby and Brad Carroll being the latest players to sign up – on one-year deals – before AFC’s 3-1 friendly win at Chorley on Wednesday.

And the talented prospects join a squad that includes new recruits boasting far more experience – including former Football League trio Ashley Grimes, David Mellor and Neil Ashton.

Barrow will begin their league campaign by hosting Dover Athletic on August 8, and Edmondson said: “With regards to conditioning and the physical side of it then we’ll definitely compete.

“We’re going to need some breaks early on to get a decent run together.

“But I think at home especially, if we can build on the way we finished last year and get the crowd excited by some decent performances and football then there’s no reason why we can’t challenge in the top half of the league, without doubt.

“As a manager, there’s no point me pulling players together and saying to them, ‘well, we just want to stay up this season’.

“It’s not about that, it’s about giving the club and the fans something to be proud of and to give the supporters something that they want to come down week-in, week-out to watch, to cheer and get enthused by.

“So, yes, I’m not going to stand here now and say we’re going to win the league.

“But it’s our mindset that we’re going to be right in amongst it this year, that’s what we’re driving into the players day-in day-out.

“That’s about taking themselves out of the comfort zone and making themselves feel uncomfortable because that’s the only way you can improve.”

AFC’s initial aim is to at least give themselves a chance of attacking the play-off spots this season, and certainly to be competing in the right half of the table.

“You’ve got to be ambitious – it’s an ambitious football club, we’ve got ambitious fans,” added Edmondson.

“And we’ve now got ambitious players here and players who can deliver and have delivered regularly at this level and above.

“So yes, of course you’ve got to set the bar quite high and then build on it slowly.

“There will still be the same targets – monthly or through a set of games, you still look to pick up a certain amount of points and slowly build on it. But you’ve got to be ambitious at the start.”

AFC’s other new signings include ex-Lincoln midfielder Mo Fofana, while former Carlisle duo Matt Young and Dave Symington, plus young Barrow-born keeper Danny Eccles, are also in line to earn Barrow deals.

Edmondson also wants to add another striker to his ranks and, when asked how pleased he is with his squad, the boss responded: “Time will tell on that one but obviously the players have worked very hard.

“The new players who have come in, we knew their personalities and they’ve settled in very well. The work ethic in there – Ashton, Mellor, Fofana – what these boys bring is another element of professionalism with them and that rubs off on everybody else.

“Add to that the likes of Danny Livesey and Simon Grand – and then Steve Williams has come in and Ashley Grimes has come in from pro level.

“So you’re getting a lot more nucleus which has been full-time and know what it’s about day-in day-out.

“Pre-season is a hard slog, you’ve got to work and have the right commitment levels. There have been one or two little niggles, but that’s understandable in pre-season because we have got some who were part-time and are stepping up and you just feel one or two things.

“But, all-in-all, everybody has looked after themselves and the conditioning of the players is excellent.”

Barrow AFC’s SUMMER signings SO FAR

Andy Haworth, Ashley Grimes, David Mellor, Neil Ashton, Mo Fofana, Steve Williams, Joel Dixon, Elliot Newby, Brad Carroll.