New Barrow AFC midfielder Tom Beadling believes he can learn a lot from manager David Dunn as he looks to try to help establish his hometown club in the English Football League.

Beadling, who was born in Barrow, was one of three new signings made by the club last week - the first since Dunn took charge - alongside fellow middle man Mike Jones and wide attacker Luke James.

The 24-year-old was possibly the most unfamiliar of the trio to AFC supporters as he only has two EFL appearances from a loan spell at Bury to his name.

The former Sunderland man was able to establish himself, however, at Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in the last two-and-a-half years and is now keen to make an impression under Dunn, who spent much of his own playing career in the Premier League.

Beadling told the club’s YouTube channel: “It was a massive part of signing, for me. I think I can learn so much from the gaffer and the career that he’s had speaks for itself.

“I can learn so much from him, so hopefully I can do that, get as many games under my belt as I can and learn as I go.”

Beadling feels that he won’t have to adapt to too many differences from Scottish football when he does take to the field in League Two, a level the Bluebirds find themselves at for the first time since 1972.

He said: “It’s a different league, but I think there are a lot of similarities also.

“It’s proper football - what you see is what you get - and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and seeing what I can do.”

Beadling’s background came as a surprise to Dunn, who had no idea he came from Barrow when he went in to sign him and bolster his options in the middle of the park.

He’s certainly well-travelled, as his family emigrated to Perth, Australia when he was very young and after learning how to play the game there, they moved back to England and the North East, where Beadling came through the ranks at Sunderland.

“I was roughly two years old when I moved, so it was a short stint [in Barrow], but I still came back every year because I’ve got family that live here still,” Beadling said.

“There’s good things happening at the club. The reason why I wanted to come here was it’s on the up.”