New Barrow Raiders signing Perry Singleton can’t wait to get started with his hometown club after coming back down the coast to aid their push for promotion.

A deal was done in double quick time to bring Barrow Island product Singleton to Craven Park, after he was released by Raiders’ Cumbrian rivals Workington Town due to a change in work commitments that made travelling to training much more problematic.

Singleton signed on the dotted line the day before Barrow began pre-season training and he has started to get up to speed ahead of the 2020 season in Betfred League One, as he looks to help his new club bounce back from this year’s relegation.

Singleton said: “Growing up in Barrow, you know rugby is the main thing for the town. Obviously, you want to represent your hometown club, so there’s nothing better than going back to Barrow.

“Hopefully we achieve something special this year because there is nothing better than playing a your hometown club.

“I was actually a ball boy when they won the Championship [in 2009], I was down there every week when I was a youngster, so it’s good to finally sign for them.”

Being from the area means Singleton didn’t feel like too much of a stranger when he met up with his new teammates, as like him, a good number of them progressed through the local amateur game.

He’s also familiar with the amateur players who are currently training with the Raiders with a view to earning a dual registration deal for the new season.

Singleton said: “I played right the way through the age groups with Luke Cresswell and I obviously know Jake Carter as well.

“There are a few others who I have played against, so I already knew most of the boys and it won’t be hard for me to settle in and gel with the team, I don’t think.

“I know nearly all of the amateur players who are training with us as well and it’s good to see them getting the opportunity to train at that level and hopefully they’ll stick at it and eventually sign a contract with us.”

The Raiders have announced they will be opening their pre-season campaign against newly-promoted Championship side Oldham, with the match against the Roughyeds taking place at Craven Park at 2pm on Sunday, January 5. Under-16s will be allowed in the ground for free.