New Barrow AFC defender Patrick Brough has revealed manager Ian Evatt’s description of how the Bluebirds play was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Brough signed for the Bluebirds on a two-year contract, with the option for an extra year, yesterday as he became the fifth player to arrive at Holker Street this summer.

The 23-year-old is likely to be Rhys Norrington-Davies’ replacement at left-back, or left wing-back when Evatt chooses to play three at the back, with his new manager believing he has all the attributes to succeed at the club.

The move to bring Brough to Holker Street actually happened fairly quickly and it was conversations over the phone that persuaded the former Carlisle man to play his football in Cumbria again.

Brough said: “I’d heard about the style of play we have here and then when I spoke to the manager the manager told me ‘I want to play football, get it down and pass it’, which is exactly what I wanted to hear, so I’m excited to get started.”

The defender most recently played for Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and made 20 appearances in all competition for the Bairns during a campaign in which they were eventually relegated.

“I actually enjoyed it,” Brough said, adding: “Obviously, the situation there wasn’t ideal with us not having many wins and losing too much.

“Then halfway through the season, the manager [Ray McKinnon] kind of kept me there but didn’t play me - that’s a different story - but I’m just looking forward to getting started here because it is a fresh start.”

With Barrow looking to make a sustained push for the play-offs next season, Brough believes the National League is going to be wide open this season.

The two clubs relegated from the Football League this year - Notts County and Yeovil Town - are going through unstable periods and clubs like AFC Fylde and Solihull Moors are spending big in trying to push for promotion.

Brough said: “I think it’s always been one of the toughest leagues to get out of because there are a lot of good teams in there, but that’s what we’ve looking to do and hopefully we can achieve that.

“I’ve been on loan to a couple of teams and played in it before, but this is my first time playing in it permanently.

“I’m just looking forward to getting started now - we’ve had a good few weeks off, but I’m looking forward to getting into a routine again and getting back playing football.

“It’s good that we’ve got everything sorted now and and I can just look forward to playing.”