PAUL Crarey believes Millom’s Challenge Cup tie at home to Red Star Belgrade could prove beneficial for both clubs.

The first-round tie grabbed plenty of attention both in and outside of the rugby league sphere when it was drawn last Friday evening and it promises to be a memorable day for the Woolybacks on the weekend of January 26 and 27.

Barrow Raiders head coach Crarey is hoping to get to Devonshire Road for the match as well, providing it does not clash with his own side’s friendly against Wigan Warriors on the Saturday, and is interested to see how Red Star fare.

“It’s a massive thing for them to come over here as a club and play a game, and I think it will be good for Millom as well,” said Crarey.

“I think they’ll get a decent crowd up there to watch that game because you don’t know what you’re going to get.

“I might even go to watch the game myself and see what standard there is over there, so it’s big for the area.”

Crarey believes the attention around the match is a sign of positivity returning to the sport, which he also saw as evidenced by England Academy’s 2-0 series win over the Australian Schoolboys.

“I think the game is starting to grow a bit and there is a little bit of positivity around,” said Crarey.

“The Academy side have just beat the Australians twice, so the standard in this country must be going up.”