STRIKER Scott Quigley has back Barrow AFC new boy James Jones to step up to the challenge in League Two following his move from National League side Altrincham.

The 23-year-old defender made the switch to Holker Street last month after a number three years in non-league with Alty - the first being a promotion winning campaign from the Northern Premier League.

He left The Robins just before they earned promotion via the play-offs in July - opting for a fresh challenge and to join his former team mate Quigley at the Bluebirds.

The pair both began their careers with former Welsh Champions The New Saints - and last season's leading marksman has been impressed with his former team mates' development.

He said: "I've been really impressed by James, he's someone I have been travelling in with since he signed and he is a great lad.

"We were together at TNS when I was getting into the first team. We didn't play an awful lot together as he was just coming through at that time.

"But what he has gone on to do has been great. When he moved to Altrincham a few people may have pulled a face about it, but he has done really well there.

"He's chosen to move into the Football League and speaking to him, he isn't going to be someone who is just coming here and settling, he wants to help take the club further.

"He has made the step up a couple of leagues but he wants to fight for his place, and since he arrived he has fitted in really well."

Quigley himself is one of a number of players who have remained at Holker Street following promotion - with the 20 goal striker recently penning a new deal.

It marks a return to the Football League for the 26-year-old, having spent two years at Blackpool between 2017 and 2019.

During his time at Bloomfield Road he was farmed out on loan on a number of occasions, and has previously said he doesn't think he was given a fair crack in the league with the Tangerines.

The striker is keen to hit the ground running when the season resumes in September and is even more keen to prove the doubters wrong.

He added: "For me, I have already said I don't feel that I had a fair chance in my eyes.

"There may be people looking at me to see if I can do it and I think I can.

"I won't be just looking to get five or ten goals and be happy with it. I want to be right up their in the scoring charts come the end of the season.

"That is what I will be aiming for and hopefully I can prove any doubters wrong."