BARROW Raiders and senior prop Carl Forster share equal delight following the announcement of the forward's re-signing for the 2022 Betfred Championship campaign.

The 29-year-old will also join the touchline staff as an assistant coach at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium alongside his playing duties - a challenge he is relishing.

The St-Helens born prop won this year’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards at the end of season presentation and impressed throughout the 2021 campaign which saw Paul Crarey’s side lift the League Leaders’ Shield.

“I am delighted to be staying here, as I have said before, I have been happy here since day one," he said.

“It was a no-brainer really to stay with the club and I have not looked anywhere else to be honest.

"It was an exciting time to be a part of the club last year and everyone behind the scenes have been working really hard with all the marquee stuff. There is just a really good vibe here at the moment."

Forster explained that the offer to become assistant coach came through the club who recognised his suitability for the role due to his previous experience in coaching and his position as a senior player.

"We have a good group of senior players here that lead on the pitch," he continued.

"If I can bring something to the table then great.

"I will do anything the help the club and any way possible."

Forster went on to say how his focus for next season will be to make sure he keeps a high level on the pitch and not let his new role take anything away from his on-field performance.

Director of rugby at raiders - Andy Gaffney - explained that this was a win-win for the club, who were looking to bring in new faces to the coaching set up and given his previous experience and his knowledge of the game, Forster was a 'no-brainer'.

"He was one of our best players last season, and one of the best players in the whole league in my opinion," Gaffney said.

"How he never got nominated for a league award is beyond me!

"He loves the club and has great desire and professionalism.

"Carl has a great coaching brain and if he is on the park as well, it all helps add to the club.

"I cannot speak more highly of him.

"We wanted to get his signing over the line early, but obviously there will be some new faces coming in soon."

Gaffney said there will be some exciting new signing in the coming weeks.