BARROW AFC are facing increased competition as they go in pursuit of new signings for next season.

Manager Paul Cox has warned it is proving more difficult than ever to bring in recruits as their National League rivals up their spending ahead of next season.

The Bluebirds have made five signings so far this close-season – with more to follow this week – bringing in Jordan White, Bradley Bauress, Dan Jones, Asa Hall and Bedsente Gomis.

But other moves – for the likes of former Gateshead central defender Manny Smith and ex-Grimsby centre-back Shaun Pearson – have failed to come off as their rivals have come in to snatch them away.

In the cases of Smith and Pearson, both were snapped up by a Wrexham side who have gone on an early-summer transfer spree, which has also seen them land Forest Green Rovers midfielders Sam Wedgbury and Marcus Kelly and former Barrow winger Jack Mackreth among others.

Chester too – who have signed Paul Turnbull and Ross Hannah from the Bluebirds – have been recruiting heavily, while league newcomers such as AFC Fylde, Maidenhead United and Ebbsfleet United all have money to spend.

That has made for a tough recruitment market for Cox and his team.

“We have been very unlucky with some of the signings we have tried to make,” said Cox.

“This year, everybody seems to be pushing the boat out. I don't know if it's because there are the extra play-off places, but we have lost out on some excellent players, and there are players we have released who people have taken on and are paying them absolute fortunes.

“That's something we have had to contest with, and something we have an understanding of.

“It's not just the North West sides, some of the clubs down south are really flexing their financial muscle.”

Cox believes the increased will make for an ultra-competitive National League when the action kicks off on August 5, with teams vying to be in among the six who will make the play-off under the new structure.

The Barrow manager finds it hard to pick out sides who will be battling at the other end of the table, and said: “It all makes for what I would say is the most competitive league – probably the hardest in a number of years.

“I was asking people to name clubs who they think might get relegated from this league, and you would be really be hard pushed to name a side you think are going to get relegated.

“Maidenhead have (manager) Alan Devonshire and will probably have money to spend, Ebbsfleet have come up and will probably have one of the biggest wage bills in our league.

“Then you look at clubs like Wrexham, who probably weren't competitive last year, and who have made good signings, Chester have made good signings. It adds to what I think is going to be a very spicy league this year.”