Midfielder Lewis Hardcastle is a prime example of how Barrow AFC have emphasised on improving young players in the past 18 months, according to manager Ian Evatt.

Hardcastle signed an extended contract with the Bluebirds on Monday that will keep him at Holker Street until the end of next season, meaning the club have kept hold of another player they see as a valuable asset.

The 21-year-old signed permanently for AFC just under a year ago after an initial loan spell from Blackburn Rovers, and he has formed part of an impressive midfield that has often allowed Evatt's side to dominate matches in the National League.

Evatt said: “Before I got the job, the club had spent a hell of a lot of money on the wrong type of player; players that were on their way down rather than on their way up, players that were looking for a last pay day, and it didn’t go well. We’ve changed the demographic of what we sign and Lewis fits that demographic.

“He’s a young player, we’re coaching him and improving him all the time, he’s willing to learn and why should we recruit these players, do all the hard work and not protect ourselves when a big fish comes to take one of them?

“It needs to be our decision whether we allow them to go or not and if we don’t keep ourselves covered with contracts then it’s not our decision, so it’s a good thing to do and it’s a good thing that he’s re-signed.”