MARTIN Aspinwall has earned the plaudits from Paul Crarey for his work both on and off the field in helping Barrow Raiders secure a place in the Kingston Press League One play-offs.

The 34-year-old loose forward again starred for the Raiders on Sunday, capping an impressive display with two tries as they saw off Hunslet Hawks 44-26 to book their play-off berth.

But Barrow head coach Crarey insists there is much more Aspinwall does around the club than on a match days and, along with fellow senior players like Oliver Wilkes and the injured Liam Harrison, he has been a positive influence on their youngsters.

"He's been solid for us all year and people don't notice what he does," said Crarey. "If he comes up with a couple of tries, he stands out more, but he's been like that all year.

"He's a champion bloke as well. He doesn't suffer fools, he's played at the highest level, he's been in the Great Britain squad, played in the Grand Final, played at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final, but he's still got that passion and desire.

"He's good to have around, when he talks everyone listens and I think all of our senior players have done well.

"They're getting to the back end of their careers and it's not just what they bring on the playing front, it's what they do off the field and how they conduct themselves."

Aspinwall, who amassed over 240 Super League appearances during spells with Wigan Warriors, Huddersfield Giants, Castleford Tigers and Hull FC, has the option to extend his contract for a second year.

And, although Crarey has not broached the subject of new deals with any of his squad at this stage, he is eager to keep Aspinwall as part of the team for 2017.

"For me, it's imperative that he does stay at the club and I think he will,” said Crarey.

"We probably haven't gone into people's contracts yet because we don't know the budget and we probably don't want to upset what we're doing.

"If it was up to me, I'd be talking to Martin and getting him signed up for next year. I think he's a big part of what we're doing and what we need to keep doing.

"Players like him and with him being here as well, it will attract other players to come and play for us."

Crarey is delighted with how Aspinwall has settled in the area since signing from Championship outfit Leigh Centurions last winter.

He has been progressing well in his career off the field as an accountant with Raiders sponsor RfM Chartered Accountants too, and Crarey is in no doubt the move has worked out for the player as well as the club.

"He probably could have gone to a Championship club, but he came down here with Danielle, his wife, and I took them round the area in my car, showed them how nice it is and that he would fit in, and that it was a step in life for him outside of football to get a job as an accountant,” said Crarey.

"They've looked after him brilliantly, he's done really well with them and he's settled into life around here well.

"It was a big step for Martin, he took some persuading, but I think he's really enjoying it and we can see that in the way he is playing.

"He did a speech after the (Hunslet) game where he said he was enjoying his football more now than he has done, so that is great to hear."