BARROW AFC have added valuable experience to the spine of their side by bringing in Jason Taylor and Brian Wilson.

The pair signed deals at Holker Street ahead of Monday's 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat against Newcastle United, with the Bluebirds beating off strong competition for Wilson's signature in particular.

Both feature in the second half of that game, with Taylor having played in every pre-season match to date and Wilson having been involved over the past week.

Defensive midfielder Taylor, 31, has spent the past two seasons in the National League – firstly with Eastleigh and then with AFC Fylde – having previously made more than 350 Football League appearances for the likes of Stockport County, Rotherham United and Cheltenham Town.

Wilson has even more experience. The 35-year-old defender is taking his first journey into the non-league game, having played more than 400 Football League matches in a 17-year professional career taking in Stoke City, Bristol City and Oldham Athletic, among others.

AFC boss Ian Evatt – just one year Wilson's senior – is pleased to have both men on board, believing they have big roles to play.

“The spine of the team – I've said since day one, when I got the job – it's important that it is sold, strong and experienced,” said Evatt, who was appointed at Holker Street last month.

“We've certainly got that now with Jason and Brian – and I must say Josh Granite has been excellent as well, he has really surprised me with how good he has been and how much of a leader he is, there are pleasing signs.”

He added: “They've been fantastic. They're very experienced players who can help guide our young lads.

“The dynamic of the group is excellent at the moment – in training and in games it's been really good. The fact that the young lads listen to the senior ones and are willing to learn, they lead by example.

“When I'm not around, which I'm not all the time, in the dressing room and behind the scenes, they're the ones who lead the culture, and they're doing that really well.”

Evatt revealed there had been added interest in landing Wilson before he penned his contract at Holker Street, with Football league clubs wanting to take him.

But both men – with observers from Carlisle United and Crewe Alexandra having expressed their belief Taylor could still play in the League during pre-season outings – have chosen to join the Bluebirds.

Evatt said: “Brian is still a fit guy, a really fit lad, and I'm just pleased to get him in. There have been other clubs who have been trying to pinch him from the league, especially in the last couple of days (before he signed), so it's nice that he has bought into the project here, that he's willing to come and take a wage cut to come here and help with the young lads, and lead by example on the pitch.”

On Taylor, he added: “That's the remit of players we're trying to sign – players that probably belong in the Football League. But they've bought into what we are trying to do here, the way we're trying to play etc. We've managed to get them, and there are good signs for the club.”

For a match report and pictures from Barrow AFC v Newcastle Under-23s, visit www.nwemail.co.uk