It will be a special day for Barrow Raiders captain Jarrad Stack tomorrow, as the pre-season friendly against former club Workington Town will double up as his testimonial.

The Australian second row will be leading from the front this season, after succeeding the retired Martin Aspinwall as skipper, which is a crucial year for the Raiders, as they look to bounce back into the Betfred Championship.

Stack showed an huge amount of mental strength to play on for Barrow last year while his mother was seriously ill back home and it was that sort of commitment that made it an easy decision for head coach Paul Crarey to hand him the armband.

Stack said: “Over the years, if Martin wasn’t playing or Nathan Mossop wasn’t playing, I was stepping into the position.

“Obviously with Martin retiring, Paul approached me and asked me if I wanted to do it and with it being my testimonial year as well, it makes it extra special to captain the lads.

“We’ve got a good team and I’m happy to be leading us forward.”

The clash between the two Cumbrian rivals, who also face off competitively in League One on Good Friday and in June, will be their final warm-up before the real action begins next month and it is sure to be a feisty affair, despite its official tag as a friendly.

Stack has been encouraged by Barrow’s performances so far, saying: “I think the major plus has been the amateurs. Cresta has brought these lads in who have been with us all through pre-season and don’t have to be here if they don’t want to train.

“But they’re all fighting for a place and I think some of them have deserved it, so come the first round we’ll see who’s got the position and who hasn’t.”