BARROW AFC boss Pete Wild has explained how the Bluebirds were able to secure the services of striker Cole Stockton. 

The 29-year-old forward became the Bluebirds' first addition of the January transfer window after completing a loan switch from League One side Burton Albion until the end of the season. 

Stockton's arrival also coincided with the departure of striker Ged Garner who completed his own loan move earlier in the week - with the 25-year-old switching Barrow for Morecambe until the end of the season. 

Ahead of the Bluebirds' clash with Lee Bell's Crewe Alexandra at Holker Street, Wild explained how the opportunity to sign Stockton arose and how it depended on Garner's departure. 

He said: "With Cole, it was really interesting because when Ged [Garner] wanted to go out on loan I said to him and his agent that he wouldn't be going anywhere until we could find a suitable replacement.

"Ged's agent had already found Morecambe for him and I had made Morecambe aware of that as well so we were then looking at our options with the recruitment team and Cole Stockton's name was mentioned that he had been on a circular from Burton and he may be available for loan.

"Very quickly Iain Wood spoke to Burton, spoke to Cole's agent and Cole was keen on a move back to the North West, so all those things were in our favour.

"I then spoke to Cole over the weekend around what we could offer him and what we could do for him and by Monday it was basically all agreed and he came on Wednesday for his medical.

"Things moved quickly but it had to be done seamlessly as we had to use the money from Ged to pay for Cole because we are right on the end of our financial fair play so we had to make sure that both moves were made simultaneously."

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Stockton joined Burton Albion in the summer transfer window off the back of a four-year spell with Morecambe which saw him score 52 goals in 153 appearances, with this including his 11-goal League One haul for the Shrimps last campaign.  

However, the 29-year-old subsequently saw his opportunities limited at the Pirelli Stadium with the forward making 16 appearances in all competitions and only netting one goal.

Now, according to Wild, Cole has the opportunity to get back to his best and showcase his qualities in a Barrow shirt.

He said: "He is something we have not got. Cole is a proven goal scorer, alright he has had a six-month period at Burton where it hasn't worked but that is football.

"Josh Gordon scored 15 goals for us last year and he went to Burton and it hasn't worked for him so sometimes at some clubs it does not work out.

"We believe the way we play we can the best out of Cole, that is what I have said to him. I know Cole is a proven goalscorer at this level and the level above, there is no doubting his qualities and he is an unbelievable lad, the type of character we want around the place.

"With all those things considered we think it is a great move for us and we think we can get the best out of Cole and the way we play Cole can get the best out of himself."