Head coach Paul Crarey has praised the commitment of the players that will continue to travel from outside of Cumbria to play for and train with Barrow Raiders next season.

Last week, Crarey outlined how difficult it can be to bring players to Craven Park, due to Barrow’s location making the journey a sometimes arduous one, with just one new player from outside the county, Lee Jewitt, signed for the 2020 season.

Crarey believes it speaks volumes for some of the members of his squad who don’t live in the area that they are still prepared to commute after signing new contracts, even though the Raiders will be playing in a lower division come February.

The likes of half-back Jamie Dallimore had interest from other clubs, but they instead showed their loyalty to Barrow in staying put, despite their relegation from the Betfred Championship last season.

Crarey said: “We’ve got Ryan Duffy, Declan Hulme, Jamie Dallimore and Jono Smith who have been absolutely outstanding in their commitment to this club with their travelling.

“Even this year, when Dalli probably could have gone to Widnes or Swinton, and places like that, he turned it all down to stay at Barrow.

“Like Jarrad Stack, I think he wants to finish his time off here, where he’s well thought of by the fans, before calling it a day.

“I’ll say again that it’s all about attitude and commitment, for me, and they’ve got it in abundance, all of them.”

Staying on the subject of players who have given their all in the name of their club, Crarey has no concerns over how fit Papua New Guinea duo Stargorth Amean and Wartovo Puara will be when they return to the country next month.

The pair have been excused from the first couple of months of pre-season training after going through a busy autumn of international duty, which included the inaugural World Cup Nines and PNG’s famous 28-10 victory over Great Britain.

Crarey said: “They’ll get a rest until January and they’ll come back in refreshed. They know our structures and style and they’ll keep themselves in good condition. They’re both conscientious about the way they prepare and in term of physical fitness, they’re both extreme in that department when it comes to looking after themselves, so we just can’t wait for them to get back.

“They’re both great lads and great players, so we’re just looking forward to having them back, but it will give us a lift when they come in, in January.”