FOR the past couple of months, Gareth Hock’s mind has been on the future – both on and off the field.

Having left Featherstone Rovers in August, the experienced forward was torn between a return to Super League – with hometown club and former team Wigan Warriors among those to put an offer on the table – or continue playing part-time alongside his day-job to help his career prospects when his playing days in rugby league are over.

But Hock now has a much clearer idea of how the future is looking after agreeing a deal to join Barrow Raiders for the 2019 Betfred Championship season.

Conversations with some of his new team-mates who live near him helped him make his mind up and Hock cannot wait to get started at the Raiders.

“It’s been a mad few months deciding on my future and things like that, whether to go to Super League or concentrate on what I’m going to do after rugby, but I’ve finally got it sorted,” said Hock.

“There are about seven lads from where I’m from travelling and I know a few of them quite well, and when I spoke to them they sold it to me. It blended in well with what I want to do and it suits me.

“I had some offers; I wanted to go back to Wigan, but it didn’t work out how I wanted. But it’s worked out fine for me and my family, and I just want to get going now for next season.”

Hock comes to Barrow with experience not only of a 15-year playing career which has taken in spells with Wigan, Widnes Vikings, Salford, Leigh Centurions and Featherstone, but also seen him capped at international level for Great Britain and England.

His no-nonsense playing style has earned him a reputation as one of rugby league’s hard-men as well, and Hock hopes he can have a positive influence on the Raiders’ younger pack members.

“That’s what I spoke to the coach about, bringing a bit of experience and a bit of aggression to the forwards,” said Hock.

“They struggled sometimes playing away, but they’re all right playing at home. I think I can try to give them a bit of a boost when they’re away and get them fired up for those games.”

Prior to joining Barrow, Hock’s only previous visit to Craven Park had been with Featherstone in the Championship last season, where Rovers eventually won 38-26.

But he is looking forward to this new challenge and, having been away to get married recently, is hard at work to make sure he is ready for pre-season training.

“They gave us a tough game,” said Hock. “It’s tough up that way and the crowd really gets behind them.

“It’s going to be an experience and something I look forward to. I thought I was going to be out of my comfort zone at Featherstone, but it ended up being all right.

“I’ve had a couple of weeks out of training, so I’ll be back at it on Monday and then it’s back to pre-season, which everyone dreads.”