Former Barrow AFC defender Dan Jones has said his second season at Holker Street helped him enjoy his football again, as he prepares for a crack at the Football League with new club Salford City.

Jones joined the Ammies a week ago after a spell with the Bluebirds that began with a tumultuous season that saw them go through three managers and almost get relegated from the National League.

Not withstanding the change of ownership during the autumn, the next campaign was far more stable on the pitch, with AFC eventually finishing tenth in the table under Ian Evatt.

It was also a season in which Jones, 24, successfully made the transition to centre-back, having played on the left side of the defence under his previous bosses while at Barrow.

Jones said: “I’ve said to the players and the manager that they made me enjoy my game again this year because of the way they’ve gone about things.

“The first season wasn’t too enjoyable and during the off-season [last year] it looked like I wasn’t even going to be there.

“The owners in place didn’t want me at the club and they tried to get me out, but the manager, Ian Evatt, came in and under him I’ve managed to enjoy my game again.”

The last year has represented some turnaround for Jones, who ended up being named in the National League’s Team of the Season.

He was rated very highly by Evatt, who was happy to see him move to a club in a higher division, but at the same time frustrated to see him leave on a free transfer after the expiration of his contract.

Jones said: “The club didn’t tell me they wanted me to go – I actually found out through the papers and stuff like that and it made me not want to be at the club.

“I don’t want to play for anyone that doesn’t want me and the manager’s come in and now I’ll fondly remember my time with Barrow.”

The move to Salford, who will be playing in League Two for the first time in their history next season, has given Jones a second chance of playing in the EFL, where he previously plied his trade for Hartlepool and Grimsby.

“Getting back into the League is something I always wanted to do ever since I dropped out of it, really,” Jones said.

“I think Barrow was that platform that helped me get there, especially after the way the last season went, it helped a lot.

“I think there was a big improvement my performances from the season before from playing in a position that I’m comfortable with and I think I’ve shown people what I can do there.”