Barrow AFC midfielder John Rooney has signed an extended contract with the club, which will keep him at Holker Street until the end of next season.

Rooney agreed a new one-year deal during the summer after a productive first campaign with the Bluebirds, which saw the 28-year-old score ten goals, and he will now remain until the end of the 2020/21 season.

He has already matched last year’s total this season, with his tap-in in last Saturday’s 3-0 win at Notts County putting him into double figures, just two behind top scorer Scott Quigley.

Rooney’s purple patch of seven goals in five games during September played a big part in AFC’s rise up the National League, with them going into Saturday’s home clash with Barnet top of the pile.

The news was broken during the fans’ forum that was held at Co-op Bowling Club on Dane Avenue on Friday night.

Manager Ian Evatt said: “In the past, the frustration of mine, especially with Dan Jones, who I viewed as a financial asset to us, but the club lost Dan for nothing.

“The board recognised that and we need to protect our best players and our assets and for John to score ten goals in a short space of time from central midfield, after scoring double figures last season.

“We all want to be part of something that rewards success and John deserves a new contract.

“I’m thoroughly delighted that he’s staying with us, he’s enjoying his football and thanks to the board for backing us and getting this over the line.”