PAUL Crarey is delighted Barrow Raiders have been able to retain the services of vice-captain Nathan Mossop for another two years.

The hooker has become the second member of the squad whose current contract was due to expire at the end of the season to agree a new deal, following Jamie Dallimore.

Mossop has made over 200 appearances for the Raiders and his new contract takes him up to his testimonial year, with head coach Crarey pleased the former Millom amateur is staying.

“He’s a model professional, I can talk to him about anything and I get on really well with him,” said Crarey.

“He’s solid and he’s getting on in years a bit, but he’s pretty smart. He’s a good dummy-half runner, he’s professional in his approach, he’s one of our senior leaders and he’s done a good job.

“In two years’ time it’s his testimonial and it will be well-deserved. He didn’t want to go anywhere else and they said it was one of the easiest signings-on they’ve done.”

More retentions for 2019 are due to be announced soon and Crarey is eager to get some new recruits in too.

“Hopefully we can get the nucleus of the players who want to be here and we need some bodies in here for next year because the Championship gets harder next year,” said Crarey.

“This division is a million miles from League One.”