PAUL Crarey is excited about what the 2019 Betfred Championship season has in store for Barrow Raiders after agreeing a new two-year contract with the club.

The Raiders survived their first year back in the second tier after winning promotion in 2017, despite the squad being ravaged by injuries and financial problems affecting the club, but now find themselves in a more stable position.

Head coach Crarey does not expect the expanded 14-team Championship to be any less challenging next year. But with the core of the 2018 squad signed up again, and Jake Spedding, Deon Cross, Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Purara Jr and Gareth Hock, plus youth graduate Jake Carter all coming in he has sensed a buzz around Barrow.

“It’ll be tough again with York and Bradford coming up, and Swinton and Rochdale staying in the division, but with the signings we’ve made it means we can be more competitive when we’ve got injuries,” said Crarey.

“We’re excited about the future at Barrow, the board is growing and the marketing side of it is growing, so it’s all good for the club and there is a bit of a buzz about the town.

“When you get out and about, people want to talk to you about it and expectations will go up with the players we have got, but I think the players and the coaching staff are ready for that.”

The squad return for pre-season training on November 17 and Crarey is in a confident mood.

“We’re ready to get going and it’s proved last season when we’re at full tilt, at our best with no injuries, we were beating Leigh and drawing with Toronto,” said Crarey.

“It’ll be a tough year, but I think we’ll be better equipped on and off the field for that.”