BARROW AFC midfielder Tom Beadling has insisted that the hard work the players are putting in now will give them a platform for success during the 2021/22 campaign.

The 25-year-old joined the rest of his teammates in reporting back for training at the back end of last week and admitted that it has been a challenge for the players.

However, Beadling knows that the stresses and strains of pre-season are a necessary evil as Mark Cooper’s squad get fully prepared for the big kick-off next month.

He said: “It’s good to be back with the lads and back amongst it – but it’s been hard work!”

“You do miss being in the environment and all together with the lads so when you get it back it’s a good laugh usually.

“The first two days were very tough but that’s what we want and it’s what we need so we all dug in and got through it, which is what it’s all about.

“We need that base of fitness so we’ll do that hard work, and it will stand us in good stead.”