Barrow AFC have sent their best wishes to former Bluebirds star Lewis Hardcastle as he takes up a head coach role.

The 23-year-old, who had to retire last year because of a heart condition, has linked up with North West Counties First Division North club Daisy Hill.

It will see Hardcastle join a club who sit 14th in their division.

The move sees the ex-midfielder step into a senior role in the non-league game after being forced to hang up his boots last March.

Daisy Hill said they were "delighted" to welcome Hardcastle to the club and said he joins the Cutters with immediate effect.

Barrow responded to the news by tweeting: "Great news - we're wishing Lewis Hardcastle all the best in his new role."

His first game comes against AFC Darwen this weekend.

Daisy Hill are based in Westhoughton, Greater Manchester, which is close to Hardcastle's home town of Atherton.

The appointment will next month see Hardcastle come up against Holker Old Boys, who currently sit third in a table topped by Bury AFC.

It is the latest step in the football journey of the Bolton-born player who came through the youth set-up at Blackburn Rovers, going on to have loan spells at Salford City and Port Vale before his switch to south Cumbria in 2019.

He was influential in the Bluebirds' historic National League promotion season in 2019/20.

And Hardcastle made 13 appearances in AFC's first campaign back in the league for 48 years last term.

But after being substituted in a game against Salford City last February, investigations uncovered a heart problem.

Hardcastle underwent a procedure to address the problem but further consultations led to medical advice that he should end his playing career.

He made 69 appearances for the club, including many as captain.

Former colleagues also wished Hardcastle well upon his appointment at Daisy Hill.

Barrow's Craig Rutherford tweeted: "All the very best Lewis. Really hope you find the same passion coaching as you had playing. You deserve every success."