Olly Dyson only got a fleeting glimpse of life with Barrow AFC last season, but it was enough for him to notice the increased buzz that is now around Holker Street.

The on-loan forward was only able to feature in a couple of home games during his initial spell from Huddersfield Town before a serious hamstring injury forced him to return to the Terriers early.

Back then, the Bluebirds were fighting to lift themselves out of mid-table, a position they have left far behind this season, with them currently three points clear, with a game in hand, at the top of the National League.

Their fantastic run of results, plus some clever ticketing promotions, has led to attendances rising above the 2,000 mark for the last three matches on their own patch, with supporters dreaming of promotion to the Football League.

Dyson said: “Obviously, the supporters have been quality. To get 2,000-plus for our home games is amazing and it’s nothing I’ve seen before.

“I came here for a spell last year before I get injured and you can tell apart the atmosphere now from what it was last year, when we were in mid-table. It’s just rocking and we’re just looking to keep that going.”

Although he hasn’t always been in the starting line-up, Dyson has managed to build up some proper momentum this season, having been used regularly by manager Ian Evatt.

So far, he has made 12 starts and eight sub appearances for the Bluebirds, scoring three goals, with the most recent of those coming in the 4-0 thrashing of Maidenhead United at the end of last month.

Dyson has really felt the benefit of the last four months, saying: “It’s brought me on loads. I’ve improved in areas where I didn’t think it was possible to improve on, not just on the pitch but in presentation as well.

“I’ve come to a club where you’ve got people who have made 300-400 appearances in men’s football and they set an example in the way you go about things.

“I was playing with guys my age and it was totally different. I’ve loved every minute of it and I feel like I’ve improved, so this loan has been really good for me.”

Dyson will be hoping to play from the start in tomorrow’s FA Trophy tie at Atherton Collieries, where Barrow are set to make changes, which would be a nice way to mark his 20th birthday.

“Obviously, the opposition will be different, but they’ll be coming into it wanting to win and they’ll be giving it everything, so we’ve got to step up to it again and win to get through to the next round."

There will be a new face in the Barrow squad for the match at Atherton, after midfielder Jamie Hodgson signed first team forms ahead of it. The 21-year-old has been a key figure in AFC's reserve team this season.