BARROW AFC's vocal support can help drive striker Inih Effiong on to new heights.

The imposing centre-forward netted his first goal for the club to the delight of the home crowd in last week's 2-1 win over Tranmere Rovers.

Standing 6ft 3ins and with a bodybuilder's physique, Effiong comes with surprising pace and his efforts from the bench in home games against Torquay and Tranmere – as well as at Guiseley – have soon had the fans on his side.

He was roundly cheered from his first moment to his last against Rovers, and both he and manager Paul Cox believe that encouragement from the terraces can only be of benefit going forward.

“I'm loving it at the moment,” said the 26-year-old, signed from Biggleswade Town in January. “It seems like the fans have taken to me, and I'm grateful for that. When I'm playing and they're cheering my name, it gives you an extra push, it makes a big difference.”

Cox is also happy to see his most recent permanent recruit being taken to heart by the Bluebirds faithful.

He sees that backing as having a positive impact, and said: “What the crowd did to him last Tuesday night, can have only sent him home with a smile on his face, because it was like he became a cult hero within a minute.”

Playing in front of crowds in excess of 1,000 each week is a far cry from Effiong's previous clubs.

Biggleswade regularly attract attendances of between 150 and 250 for their Evo-Stick Southern Premier Division matches, while Chesham top 300 on a regular basis.

In contrast, today should see at least 1,200 in Holker Street for the visit of fellow play-off contenders Dagenham and Redbridge in the National League (3pm kick-off).

Having so many supporters backing his side is something Effiong – who made his first start for the club in the 2-0 loss at Eastleigh last week – is happy to see, feeling it makes a big difference to the whole team.

He added: “The biggest crowd I have played in front of was at St Albans, when we played Luton and they had a full house. But to have the fans there every single game is different.

“When I was at Biggleswade, we would go to an away game and there would be loads more fans there than ours. I always said I would love our team to have that, because it does help the players. I'm happy at Barrow with the fans who make the noise. Even when things are tough, they are really getting behind us, which is really good and a great credit to the club.

“It drives you on 100 per cent. I've said to my friends that it makes such a difference all the time when you have loads of fans there. When they're cheering your name, it's a different feeling you get and you want to work hard for the fans as well.”