BRETT Carter is excited by the opportunity which awaits him at Barrow Raiders – seven years after he left the club to join Workington Town.

Carter has become the fourth player to move south from Derwent Park during the off-season, following fellow former Town team-mates Jarrad Stack, Declan Hulme and Tom Walker to the Raiders.

However, it is something of a homecoming for the full-back, who started out as an amateur at Barrow Island and then came through the professional club's previous academy system before behind handed his first professional deal by Paul Crarey during his first spell as head coach.

But while he would cross the divide between the Cumbrian rivals in 2009 following changes to the coaching staff and spend eight seasons with Workington, the chance to return to his hometown club and revitalise his career following Town's relegation last season proved too good to turn down.

“It's a shame it didn't work out last time because Cresta was the one who gave me my first professional contract there and I just found a different pathway through Workington, so I'm excited to come back,” said Carter.

“For me, it was a massive thing to enjoy my rugby again and from what I saw last year - even over the last couple of years - and because I know them all, I got feedback off how they gel with each other and they seem like a massive group of mates.

“That's why it's a massive thing for me; I just want to have a good laugh at training - and obviously get my head down and learn stuff as well, but a big part of it is to have fun as well.”

The signing of Carter not only boosts Crarey's options in Barrow's backs division, but also adds to their community staff where he will join fellow first-team players Joe Bullock and Walker in the club's efforts to grow rugby league in the area.

Raiders director of rugby Andy Gaffney is pleased to have Carter on board and is in no doubt his experience both in playing and community work will prove hugely beneficial to the club.

“He recently contacted the club expressing his desire to play for his hometown team under a coach and staff he respects and trusts,” said Gaffney.

“After speaking with Brett, we realised that he would be an asset both on and off the field with his experience and unorthodox playing style, and his knowledge and expertise in community foundation development work.

“He will oversee ongoing projects, growing our reputation and standing in the area. It is important that we not only sign good players, but they also need to be good, passionate people who care about the club and the community. Brett ticks all of those boxes.”

Carter is excited by the chance to be able to contribute off as well as on the field at Craven Park, having played a large part in expanding the offering from Workington's community department in recent years as well.

He has already been involved with a number of meetings over planning how to build on the work Barrow are already doing and is bringing with him some ideas of his own.

“I've got a quite a bit of experience up there doing that now,” said Carter. “We've done a few big projects up there and hopefully the experience I can bring to Barrow can help Joe out as well.

“I'm excited and we've had a few meetings about the community side. Everybody is keen as mustard to get it up and running properly, and try to expand in the community about more.

“Tom has worked in the community with me for the last few years up there as well and he's a good lad as well, so it will be really good and we'll have a good little team.”