JAMIE Dallimore has revealed he turned his back on a tempting contract with Betfred League One side Hunslet to stay with Barrow Raiders for a further two years.

The stand-off had initial discussions to stay at Craven Park with former chairman David Sharpe, although his decision to step down meant those were put on hold.

Hunslet then made an offer through Dallimore’s agent which would have yielded some potentially big financial rewards for the 30-year-old, whose partner is currently expecting their first child.

But after telling his Raiders team-mates prior to the recent Betfred Championship Shield game away to Leigh Centurions he was planning to leave, Dallimore had a change of heart and was able to secure a new Barrow contract after talking to chairman Steve Neale.

“There was an offer from Hunslet which, financially, was probably too good to turn down,” said Dallimore. “I’m 30 now, and I could have gone to League One, taken the easy option and picked up a lot of winning money.

“I agreed terms with Hunslet, I had a phone call with the club and when I addressed the lads before the Leigh game and a lot of the messages I got back put it into perspective that I wasn’t doing the right thing.

“I had a change of heart and I spoke with Steve, and luckily we managed to strike a deal straight from the off.

“I know I’ve done the right thing. It’s a tougher league and we should stay up, and we’ve been promised there will be good players coming in. It’s good news and I was delighted when I got done.”

Dallimore’s new contract is for the Championship only, although he added he is likely to seek to stay in the unlikely event the team are relegated to League One.

And the former Oldham and North Wales Crusaders player wants to ensure that does not happen at a club he feels settled at.

“I’ve got a brilliant relationship with (head coach) Paul (Crarey), the lads are probably the best group I’ve played with and the fans have loved me from minute one,” said Dallimore.

“The money side, I’ve never missed a payment, everything had been done properly and everything Steve Neale has said has been positive.

“We’ve had some tough times this year, but when we beat Leigh and drew with Toronto, Paul addressed the fans and said there will be dark days and they need to stick with us because we need them, and the fans are not daft here

“The objective was to survive in this league, whether it be finish 10th or ninth, the higher it is the more money it is for the club.”