PETE Murphy is delighted Barrow Raiders have been able to secure a new dual-sponsorship agreement ahead of the 2017 Kingstone Press League One season.

The unique deal will see JF Hornby and Co accountants become the new main club sponsor, while Process Pipework Services will take over as the Raiders' main shirt sponsor.

JF Hornby managing director Paul Hornby decided to get involved after being impressed with the work done by Barrow in developing the youth structure at the club.

Meanwhile, PPS' MD is Kristian Wilkes, the brother of Raiders captain Oliver Wilkes, and commercial manager Murphy is pleased to have two high-profile companies from the area come on board.

“Paul and I initially starting chatting about the academy set-up down here and he was amazed and impressed in how strong and well run it is in such a short space of time,” said Murphy. “Paul could see what we’re trying to achieve and was more than happy to help.

“Both Kris and Paul have probably two of the most ambitious and fastest growing companies in the area.

“To have them both on board is a real coup for Barrow Raiders. They are both not only supporters of the club but knowledgeable about rugby league generally.”

Hornby is a long-time supporter of the Raiders as well, while Wilkes not only has the family connection but also plays at amateur level for hometown club Ulverston.

And both were more than happy to become more involved in helping Barrow out in this way after being impressed with what is going on behind the scenes at Craven Park.

“We have not only been friends for many years but also Raiders supporters,” said Wilkes and Hornby in a joint-statement.

“When Oliver Wilkes signed last year and became captain, we both attended most of the games and really wanted to become more involved.

“We are extremely impressed with the squad development and especially the academy which Cresta (head coach Paul Crarey) and his team have put in place.

“However, for sustainable Championship rugby the club needed to move forward commercially, which is where we can help.”

Murphy is in no doubt being able to secure these two new sponsors is a sign the Raiders are continuing to move in the right direction both on and off the field, and expects these partnerships to prove hugely beneficial to their ambitions.

“This is a great period of time for our club,” said Murphy. “We’re able to see the club growing and moving forward each year under Paul Crarey and the board, and I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to secure our new sponsors at this time.

“We’ve always been blessed with great sponsors at the Raiders - sponsors who aren’t just putting money in but that are wanting to see the club progress, to perform to its full potential and to kick on, and in Paul Hornby and Kristian Wilkes we have two of those guys.

“Both are very successful in their own fields and want to bring that success to Barrow Raiders.”