Bluebirds boss Mark Cooper has described new centre-half Mark Ellis as a Mr Consistency who will bring reliability to his defence next season.

The Barrow AFC boss has explained why he was so keen to make the experienced player one of his seven recent summer signings.

Ellis, the former Tranmere, Carlisle and Shrewsbury man, has also worked under Cooper at Forest Green.

He was part of the side that won promotion to the Football League back in 2017 under the now AFC boss. And Cooper said it was a “no-brainer” to bring Ellis in on a two-year deal.

“I know what I’m gonna get from Mark,” the Barrow manager said.

“I know exactly what he’s gonna give me.

“He’s going to be 7/10 every week, minimum.

“He’s uncompromising, he’ll score goals from set-pieces, he can defend his own box and he’s no slouch with the ball.

“He’s a winner. He’s been used to winning games. He’ll be good for the younger players as well to rub off on.

“It’s just an absolute no-brainer signing for us.”

Ellis and the rest of the Barrow squad remain in Largs, Scotland as their pre-season training camp continues.

AFC will then return to action at Spennymoor Town on Saturday.

It has been described as a vital week for Cooper and assistant Richard Dryden to refine their tactical plans with the players, as well as providing an important bonding experience for a new-look squad.

Ellis’s fellow new boys Offrande Zanzala, Paul Farman, Tom White, Remeao Hutton, Josh Gordon and Joe Grayson are also bedding into the Bluebirds ranks, after their first outings against Holker Old Boys last weekend.

Tickets for the home pre-season friendly against Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, July 24, meanwhile, remain on sale online.

The game will be a major part of the Bluebirds’ pre-season build-up, and will also see fans return to Holker Street.

Barrow are allowing season-ticket holders free entry, while other match tickets are available from the club’s ticketing website, where fans will be able to download an e-ticket which can be printed or scanned straight from a smartphone at the turnstiles.

Tickets are also available to Barrow fans from the club’s main reception.

Bolton have been given an allocation of 112 seating tickets and 550 terrace tickets for the game and these can also be bought online.