PAUL Cox is happy to see Football League scouts in the stands eyeing up his Barrow AFC talent.

National League and higher-division officials have been casting an eye over the Bluebirds in recent weeks, with members of the AFC squad in their cross-hairs.

Representatives of Carlisle United and Southport were at Barrow’s last home game against Tranmere Rovers last week, while other Football League clubs have been represented in the Holker Street stands in the past month.

And as the Evening Mail reported last week, Premier League giants including Manchester United were casting a glance at the likes of winger Jordan Williams during the club’s long unbeaten run earlier in the season.

Rather than being worried about losing his prized assets, Cox is happy that the success of the team this season – despite recent inconsistency – and the rising status of players brought up from the lower leagues to the Bluebirds has been recognised.

“It’s a positive,” said Cox of the interest. “What we’ve done, if you look at our squad, we’ve taken players, we haven’t gone and paid stupid amounts of money out. We’ve taken them from lower leagues – Inih is one who has come on, Jordan Williams, Richie Bennett.

“We’ve taken some players who, when you look at it, really shouldn’t be consistent players at this level, at the top end of this league.

“When you play well, everyone wants your assets. When you’re doing well – and this football club, no matter what anybody says, is doing well – the club is on everybody’s tongues.”

Cox has challenged those players drawing attention to prove they are worth it. He wants his AFC stars to go out and either earn new, improved deals at Holker Street – with many of them already on contract for next year or with an option to extend their stays – or moves to higher-division sides, while some will be playing for a switch elsewhere should they be released.

The Barrow boss added: “These players deserve for clubs to be watching them. What they’ve got to do, if they want to stay in the side, if they want to get a move, if they want to get more money, if they want an improved contract, is be consistently good. I’m sure the chairman would echo those thoughts in terms of going forward.”