BLUEBIRDS striker Ashley Grimes is seeking to put himself firmly back on the footballing map by rediscovering his hot goalscoring form this season.

After hugely impressing at Football League sides Lincoln City and Rochdale the 28-year-old only managed to bag a couple of goals over the past two seasons while playing for then-League Two side Bury and League One Walsall.

While Grimes made 18 appearances in all competitions for Bury he appeared 36 times for the Saddlers last term. His goalscoring prospects were not helped by being played out of position as he was also deployed from the flanks and in central midfield.

But after joining AFC on a two-year deal this summer Grimes is looking forward to the new National League campaign, which begins on Saturday when the Bluebirds will host Dover.

“I want to put myself back on the map a little bit,” said Grimes.

“During the last two seasons I played a fair amount but not as much as I would have liked and I think I played three times up front in two years and that’s not ideal for me.

“I’ll play in the team no matter where it is, but ideally, I’d like to play up front. I’ve only had three or four opportunities in two years to do that. So, hopefully, that will change this season.”

Grimes certainly showcased his talent during his loan spell with Lincoln in 2010/11, when he made 30 appearances for the then-League Two Imps after making the temporary switch from Millwall.

The former Manchester City trainee later enjoyed a fruitful two-year stay with Rochdale between 2011 and 2013.

He added: “I scored 17 goals at Lincoln and then I joined Rochdale, I had two years there and in both seasons – in League One and then League Two – I managed to hit double figures again. So those three or four years were really when I was enjoying my football the most, playing up front and just enjoying football really.

“Like I say, the last couple of years have been a little bit stop-start and I’ve been a little bit out of position, so I’d like to get back to that if possible.

“I’ve had eight or nine years in the Football League and I enjoyed every minute of it.

“And it would be great to get back into the league with Barrow – it’s a really big challenge and something that I look forward to trying to achieve.”

Grimes rejected interest from a handful of other clubs – including a League Two and a National League club that each tabled a contract offer – to join Barrow partially because the married father-of-two has been able to remain at his Manchester home rather than having to uproot his young family.

But he was also left impressed with AFC’s management team – led by boss Darren Edmondson – and the club’s lofty ambitions.

And he will be hoping that Edmondson gives him the nod to start up front against Dover with Andy Cook and Jason Walker also targeting a place. Meanwhile, the manager has been hunting for a new attacker to serve as cover for crocked striker Anthony Wilson.

Grimes said: “I’ve obviously come here to play football, but we’re all good players and strikers, otherwise we wouldn’t be here, and we’re all fighting for two spots.

“There are three of us at the moment.

“The other lads are very good players and good lads as well so I’m sure that between us all we can provide the goals to help us have a good season.”

The Bluebirds Trust’s AGM takes place in the Crossbar at Holker Street tonight – 7pm start.