Barrow Raiders are looking for a role for former captain Martin Aspinwall after he announced his retirement from playing last week.

Aspinwall ended a distinguished 18-year career, that included spells at Wigan, Huddersfield and Castleford, and a Great Britain tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2006, after deciding his body could no longer handle the strains of playing early in pre-season training.

He has told Paul Crarey that he wants to remain involved with the Raiders and the head coach is as equally receptive about the idea of keeping the 37-year-old around Craven Park.

Crarey said: "He's going to be around the place, probably on matchdays and stuff like that - he'll maybe do some stuff with the forwards on matchdays.

"We were just talking about roles that he wanted to do and we will find a role for Martin within the club because he's invaluable, with his experience and his leadership qualities.

"People listen to Martin Aspinwall when he talks, and that in itself is a little gift that he has. He doesn't say a lot, Martin, but when he does everybody stops and everybody listens.

"It's like one moment in time when everyone stops and thinks 'what's Martin going to say?' and everything that comes out of his mouth is honest and true and very thought out. There are no rash decisions from Martin, everything is methodical."